Quantifying marine biodiversity at unexplored depths
Jordan A. Hollarsmith [1,2]*, Georgina Ramirez Ortiz [3], Tallulah Winquist [1], Kyle Neumann [4], Katie DuBois [1,2], Hector Reyes Bonilla [5], and Edwin D. Grosholz [1,2]
1 – Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis
2 – University of California, Davis
3 - Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Mexico
4 - University of California, Santa Barbara
5 - Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico
Despite centuries of marine research, our knowledge of the biological diversity of the ocean remains severely limited, especially in the mesophotic zone (60 - 160m) where light begins to attenuate. The few studies that have researched within this depth, often using highly technical closed-circuit rebreather SCUBA, have found diverse coral reefs, lush kelp forests, refugia for rare and endangered species, and degradation due to invasion or other human activity. Many Marine Protected Areas include mesophotic depths within their borders but resource managers have no baseline surveys of these habitats, much less the means for continued monitoring.
To build on our knowledge of biodiversity within marine protected areas, we built a BlueRobotics BlueROV2 submersible and conducted surveys throughout the marine protected areas of El Bajo-Espiritu Santo National Park and Revillagigedo National Park in Mexico. Across both MPAs, we encountered diverse and colorful reefs of soft corals and vibrant fish assemblages. Surprising finds included vast rhodolith beds, deep-water algae, and robust stands of black coral. Disturbingly, we also observed evidence of coral disease and mortality in deep reefs, suggesting that these reefs are not necessarily refuges from climate change and other human-caused stressors.
This project was a highly collaborative undertaking. For funding, we thank the National Geographic Society, the Explorer's Club, the American Philosophical Society, and the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS). For vessel opportunities, we thank the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Cortez Expeditions, CIBNOR, UABCS, and ECO. People who contributed their time, patience, expertise, and resources include the amazing crew of the M/V Sharpie, Jeb Rabadan, Manuel Velasco, Benjamin Garza, Lazuli Piceno, and
Alexia Uribe, Jason Herum, and James Fitzgerald.
Jordan A. Hollarsmith [1,2]*, Georgina Ramirez Ortiz [3], Tallulah Winquist [1], Kyle Neumann [4], Katie DuBois [1,2], Hector Reyes Bonilla [5], and Edwin D. Grosholz [1,2]
1 – Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California, Davis
2 – University of California, Davis
3 - Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Mexico
4 - University of California, Santa Barbara
5 - Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico
Despite centuries of marine research, our knowledge of the biological diversity of the ocean remains severely limited, especially in the mesophotic zone (60 - 160m) where light begins to attenuate. The few studies that have researched within this depth, often using highly technical closed-circuit rebreather SCUBA, have found diverse coral reefs, lush kelp forests, refugia for rare and endangered species, and degradation due to invasion or other human activity. Many Marine Protected Areas include mesophotic depths within their borders but resource managers have no baseline surveys of these habitats, much less the means for continued monitoring.
To build on our knowledge of biodiversity within marine protected areas, we built a BlueRobotics BlueROV2 submersible and conducted surveys throughout the marine protected areas of El Bajo-Espiritu Santo National Park and Revillagigedo National Park in Mexico. Across both MPAs, we encountered diverse and colorful reefs of soft corals and vibrant fish assemblages. Surprising finds included vast rhodolith beds, deep-water algae, and robust stands of black coral. Disturbingly, we also observed evidence of coral disease and mortality in deep reefs, suggesting that these reefs are not necessarily refuges from climate change and other human-caused stressors.
This project was a highly collaborative undertaking. For funding, we thank the National Geographic Society, the Explorer's Club, the American Philosophical Society, and the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS). For vessel opportunities, we thank the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Cortez Expeditions, CIBNOR, UABCS, and ECO. People who contributed their time, patience, expertise, and resources include the amazing crew of the M/V Sharpie, Jeb Rabadan, Manuel Velasco, Benjamin Garza, Lazuli Piceno, and
Alexia Uribe, Jason Herum, and James Fitzgerald.
