Natural warming differentiates communities and increases diversity in deep-sea Ridge Flank Hydrothermal Systems.

ABSTRACT: Ridge Flank Hydrothermal Systems have discrete pockets of fluid discharge that mimic climate-induced ocean warming. Unlike traditional hydrothermal fluids, those discharged by Ridge Flank Hydrothermal Systems have a chemical composition indistinguishable from background water, enabling evaluation of the effect of warming temperature. Here we link temperature and terrain variables to community composition and biodiversity by combining remotely operated vehicle images of vent and non-vent zone communities with associated environmental variables. We show overall differences in composition, family richness, and biodiversity between zones, though richness and diversity were only significantly greater in vent zones at one location. Temperature was a contributing factor to observed greater biodiv

SUBMITTER: Hartwell AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10978836 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature