Mapping the resilience of chemosynthetic communities in hydrothermal vent fields.

ABSTRACT: Hydrothermal vent fields are vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as volcanic activity, and are currently being considered as targets for mineral mining. Local vent communities are linked by pelagic larval dispersal and form regional metacommunities, nested within a number of biogeographic provinces. Larval supply depends on the connectivity of the dispersal networks, and affects recoverability of communities from disturbances. However, it is unclear how the dispersal networks contribute to recoverability of local communities. Here, we integrated a population dynamics model and estimation of large scale dispersal networks. By simulating disturbances to vent fields, we mapped recoverability of communities in 131 hydrothermal vent fields in the western Pacific Ocean. Our analysis showed

SUBMITTER: Suzuki K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6008444 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature