Abstract
There are four shelf-incising submarine canyons off SW Taiwan. They are distributed along the active continental margin, which is periodically flushed by gravity flows. Shelf-incising canyons, such as Kaoping Canyon, may not only be affected by oceanographic conditions but also by extreme climate change due to the direct input of river sediment. In the canyons along the SW margin of Taiwan, strong sedimentary flows are reflected in highly abundant nutrient input and physical disturbances. The Kaoping Canyon possesses habitats that promote biodiversity but that are sensitive to environmental change. The aims of this study are to review the canyons along the SW margin of Taiwan and to present their geomorphological features and associated ecosystems.
Highlights
IntroductionSubmarine canyons are major geomorphological features that deeply incise into continental slopes and serve as sediment pathways that link shelf areas to the deep sea [1,2]
Submarine canyons are major geomorphological features that deeply incise into continental slopes and serve as sediment pathways that link shelf areas to the deep sea [1,2].Submarine canyons may be near or connected to a major river or funnel large amounts of sediment, nutrients, and organic carbon from the continental shelf into deep water [3,4]
Recent studies have indicated that SW Taiwan differs from other marine regions ([25]; Table 1) in that it possesses a high proportion of shelf-incising canyons
Summary
Submarine canyons are major geomorphological features that deeply incise into continental slopes and serve as sediment pathways that link shelf areas to the deep sea [1,2]. Submarine canyons may be near or connected to a major river or funnel large amounts of sediment, nutrients, and organic carbon from the continental shelf into deep water [3,4]. Excrement from pig farms is directly discharged into the Kaoping River and eventually makes its way to the Kaoping Canyon [16].
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