Journal
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 115, Issue -, Pages 78-88Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.02.005
Keywords
Mining; Site selection; Conservation; Seafloor massive sulfides; Deep sea; Megabenthos; Distribution; Assemblages; Management; Protected areas
Funding
- NIWA
- Victoria University of Wellington
- New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment [CO1X0702]
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Mining of seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) is imminent, but the ecology of assemblages at SMS deposits is poorly known. Proposed conservation strategies include protected areas to preserve biodiversity at risk from mining impacts. Determining site suitability requires biological characterisation of the mine site and protected area(s). Video survey of a proposed mine site and protected area off New Zealand revealed unique megafaunal assemblages at the mine site. Significant relationships were identified between assemblage structure and environmental conditions, including hydrothermal features. Unique assemblages occurred at both active and inactive chimneys and are particularly at risk from mining-related impacts. The occurrence of unique assemblages at the mine site suggests that the proposed protected area is insufficient alone and should instead form part of a network. These results provide support for including hydrothermally active and inactive features within networks of protected areas and emphasise the need for quantitative survey data of proposed sites. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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