Beta diversity differs among hydrothermal vent systems: Implications for conservation.

ABSTRACT: Deep-sea hydrothermal vent habitats are small, rare and support unique species through chemosynthesis. As this vulnerable ecosystem is increasingly threatened by human activities, management approaches should address biodiversity conservation. Diversity distribution data provide a useful basis for management approaches as patterns of β-diversity (the change in diversity from site to site) can guide conservation decisions. Our question is whether such patterns are similar enough across vent systems to support a conservation strategy that can be deployed regardless of location. We compile macrofaunal species occurrence data for vent systems in three geological settings in the North Pacific: volcanic arc, back-arc and mid-ocean ridge. Recent discoveries in the Mariana region provide the oppor

SUBMITTER: Giguere TN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8389485 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature