Abstract
Deep-sea ecosystems are reservoirs of biodiversity that are largely unexplored, but their exploration and biodiscovery are becoming a reality thanks to biotechnological advances (e.g., omics technologies) and their integration in an expanding network of marine infrastructures for the exploration of the seas, such as cabled observatories. While still in its infancy, the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding approaches is revolutionizing marine biodiversity monitoring capability. Indeed, the analysis of eDNA in conjunction with the collection of multidisciplinary optoacoustic and environmental data, can provide a more comprehensive monitoring of deep-sea biodiversity. Here, we describe the potential for acquiring eDNA as a core component for the expanding ecological monitoring capabilities through cabled observatories and their docked Internet Operated Vehicles (IOVs), such as crawlers. Furthermore, we provide a critical overview of four areas of development: (i) Integrating eDNA with optoacoustic imaging; (ii) Development of eDNA repositories and cross-linking with other biodiversity databases; (iii) Artificial Intelligence for eDNA analyses and integration with imaging data; and (iv) Benefits of eDNA augmented observatories for the conservation and sustainable management of deep-sea biodiversity. Finally, we discuss the technical limitations and recommendations for future eDNA monitoring of the deep-sea. It is hoped that this review will frame the future direction of an exciting journey of biodiscovery in remote and yet vulnerable areas of our planet, with the overall aim to understand deep-sea biodiversity and hence manage and protect vital marine resources.
Highlights
The deep sea accounts for the majority of the world’s ocean (>95%; Costello et al, 2010; Wedding et al, 2013)
Scientific research must thoroughly investigate all ecosystems’ life components prior to onset of mass industrial activities, among which impending deep-sea mining raises particular concerns (e.g., Koschinsky et al, 2018; Washburn et al, 2019). This demand has resulted in the development of management guidelines for sustainable use of the sea, as reflected in the Aichi Target 11 (Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD) and by the Sustainable Development Goal 14 “Life below water” and the post-2020 Zero draft CBD proposal (UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; UNEP, 2020; UNESCO, 2020)
A more comprehensive and multidimensional understanding of marine biodiversity in all its facets, including how it is shaped by the environment, human impacts, and climate, represents a critical knowledge framework that is needed to inform resource management operators (Howell et al, 2020)
Summary
Deep-sea ecosystems are reservoirs of biodiversity that are largely unexplored, but their exploration and biodiscovery are becoming a reality thanks to biotechnological advances (e.g., omics technologies) and their integration in an expanding network of marine infrastructures for the exploration of the seas, such as cabled observatories. The analysis of eDNA in conjunction with the collection of multidisciplinary optoacoustic and environmental data, can provide a more comprehensive monitoring of deep-sea biodiversity. We provide a critical overview of four areas of development: (i) Integrating eDNA with optoacoustic imaging; (ii) Development of eDNA repositories and cross-linking with other biodiversity databases; (iii) Artificial Intelligence for eDNA analyses and integration with imaging data; and (iv) Benefits of eDNA augmented observatories for the conservation and sustainable management of deep-sea biodiversity.
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