Expanding our view of the cold-water coral niche and accounting of the ecosystem services of the reef habitat

Journal Article

Title: Expanding our view of the cold-water coral niche and accounting of the ecosystem services of the reef habitat

Publication Date:

November 9, 2023

Journal:

Scientific Reports

Volume:

Pages:

19482

Affiliation

Temple University, US Geological Survey (USGS), University of Rhode Island, Kongsberg Underwater Technology, Ocean Exploration Trust, Florida State University, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), University of Georgia, National Museum of Natural History, Nova Southeastern University, Harvey Mudd College, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), TDI-Brooks International, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Receptor:

Ecosystem Processes

Document Access

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Citation

Cordes, E.; Demopoulos, A.; Davies, A.; Gasbarro, R.; Rhoads, A.; Lobecker, E.; Sowers, D.; Chaytor, J.; Morrison, C.; Weinnig, A.; Brooke, S.; Lunden, J.; Mienis, F.; Joye, S.; Quattrini, A.; Sutton, T.; McFadden, C.; Bourque, J.; McClain-Counts, J.; Andrews, B.; Betters, M.; Etnoyer, P.; Wolff, G.; Bernard, B.; Brooks, J.; Rasser, M.; Adams, C. (2023). Expanding our view of the cold-water coral niche and accounting of the ecosystem services of the reef habitat. Scientific Reports, 13, 19482. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45559-5

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Abstract

Coral reefs are iconic ecosystems that support diverse, productive communities in both shallow and deep waters. However, our incomplete knowledge of cold-water coral (CWC) niche space limits our understanding of their distribution and precludes a complete accounting of the ecosystem services they provide. Here, we present the results of recent surveys of the CWC mound province on the Blake Plateau off the U.S. east coast, an area of intense human activity including fisheries and naval operations, and potentially energy and mineral extraction. At one site, CWC mounds are arranged in lines that total over 150 km in length, making this one of the largest reef complexes discovered in the deep ocean. This site experiences rapid and extreme shifts in temperature between 4.3 and 10.7 °C, and currents approaching 1 m s⁻¹. Carbon is transported to depth by mesopelagic micronekton and nutrient cycling on the reef results in some of the highest nitrate concentrations recorded in the region. Predictive models reveal expanded areas of highly suitable habitat that currently remain unexplored. Multidisciplinary exploration of this new site has expanded understanding of the cold-water coral niche, improved our accounting of the ecosystem services of the reef habitat, and emphasizes the importance of properly managing these systems.