Science questions

At the outset of CenSeam our understanding of seamount ecosystems was hampered by significant gaps in global sampling, heterogeneous approaches and sampling methods, and a lack of large-scale synthesis. Over the course of CenSeam two overarching priority themes were identified, within which more focused key questions were developed to strategically guide global research and inform management and conservation objectives.

(1) What factors drive community composition and diversity on seamounts, including any differences between seamounts and other habitat types?

(a) Does community composition and diversity differ between seamounts in different regions, and what environmental factors cause large-scale geographic patterns?
(b) How important are differences in dispersal capabilities in producing spatial difference in species composition of the seamount?
(c) What environmental factors (e.g. hydrodynamic regimes, substrate age and type) cause differences in diversity and species composition of the seamount fauna at the scale of individual seamounts?
(d) Are seamounts centers of high biological productivity? 
(e) Are they characterized by unique trophic architecture?

(2) What are the impacts of human activities on seamount community structure and function?

(a) How vulnerable are seamounts to bottom fishing?
(b) What are the threats posed by non-trawl fishing (e.g. longlining) activities?
(c) What are the effects of mining on seamount communities?
(d) How resilient are seamount communities to human-induced disturbance?

Post-CenSeam: Recognising the need to determine the interactions of seamount communities with the wider deep-sea realm, and in liaison with our sister deep-sea Census of Marine Life projects (ChEss, CeDAMar, COMARGE) we have become a part of the International Network for Scientific Investigations of Deep-Sea Ecosystems (INDEEP). INDEEP will build a global network of deep-sea scientists to maintain and develop the international collaborations developed throughout the Census of Marine Life, and further facilitate cross-habitat deep-sea studies; with particular focus on the impacts of human activities. It is hoped that INDEEP will provide an essential service bridging the gap between science and policy.