2009/12/14 by Malcolm R. Clark, Ashley A. Rowden, Thomas A. Schlacher +8 · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Marine Biology and Ecology Research #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies #Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies #Seamount #Ecology #Habitat #Geography #Biodiversity #Biology #Oceanography #Geology
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-marine-120308-081109
openalex publication_date 2009/12/14 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
In this review of seamount ecology, we address a number of key scientific issues concerning the structure and function of benthic communities, human impacts, and seamount management and conservation. We consider whether community composition and diversity differ between seamounts and continental slopes, how important dispersal capabilities are in seamount connectivity, what environmental factors drive species composition and diversity, whether seamounts are centers of enhanced biological productivity, and whether they have unique trophic architecture. We discuss how vulnerable seamount communities are to fishing and mining, and how we can balance exploitation of resources and conservation of habitat. Despite considerable advances in recent years, there remain many questions about seamount ecosystems that need closer integration of molecular, oceanographic, and ecological research.