Knowledge sharing about deep-sea ecosystems to inform conservation and research decisions

Stephanie R Januchowski-Hartley,Kimberly A Selkoe,Christopher E Bird,J Derek Hogan,Natalya D Gallo,Brett Favaro

doi:10.1139/facets-2017-0037

Abstract

The Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (MNM) currently extends policy-based protection to deep-sea ecosystems contained within it, but managers require better understanding of the current knowledge and knowledge gaps about these ecosystems to guide decision-making. To address this need, we present a case study of the Marianas Trench MNM using in-depth interviews to determine scientists’ (1) current understanding of anthropogenic drivers of change and system vulnerability in deep-sea ecosystems; and (2) perceptions of the least understood deep-sea ecosystems and processes in the Marianas Trench MNM, and which of these, if any, should be research priorities to fill knowledge gaps about these systems and the impacts from anthropogenic drivers of change. Interview respondents shared similar views on the current knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and potential anthropogenic drivers of change in the Marianas Trench MNM. Respondents also identified trench and deep pelagic (bathyal, abyssal, and hadal zones) ecosystems as the least understood, and highlighted climate change, litter and waste, mining and fishing, and interactions between these drivers of change as critical knowledge gaps. To fill key knowledge gaps and inform conservation decision-making, respondents identified the need for monitoring networks and time-series data. Our approach demonstrates how in-depth interviews can be used to elicit knowledge to inform decision-making in data-limited situations.

Highlights

The deep sea is the largest ecosystem on Earth, containing numerous sub-habitats with unique abiotic and biotic characteristics (Glover and Smith 2003)
We report on the views of scientists about deep-sea ecosystems in the Marianas Trench MNM, presenting perspectives on: (1) anthropogenic drivers of change; (2) human-induced climate change as a driver of change; and (3) gaps in knowledge and understanding, and perceptions about what is needed to fill the gaps
All other respondents offered responses based on their knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems in the Marianas Trench MNM or in other regions, and drew on broader knowledge and understanding of anthropogenic drivers of change to make informed statements about possible anthropogenic drivers of change to the deep-sea ecosystems in the Marianas Trench MNM

Summary

Introduction

The deep sea (locations at 1000 m depth or below) is the largest ecosystem on Earth, containing numerous sub-habitats with unique abiotic and biotic characteristics (Glover and Smith 2003). At the same time, investigating deep-sea ecosystems that are located within large MPAs is hindered by their remoteness, technological limitations, and the high cost of many remote sensing and in situ techniques for gathering data in the deep sea (Glover and Smith 2003). These limitations make it difficult to make informed decisions about management and policies for these deep-sea systems

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