Ecological role of submarine canyons and need for canyon conservation: a review

Submarine canyons are major geomorphic features of continental margins around the world. Several recent multidisciplinary projects focused on the study of canyons have considerably increased our understanding of their ecological role, the goods, and services they provide to human populations, and the impacts that human activities have on their overall ecological condition. Pressures from human activities include fishing, dumping of land-based mine tailings, and oil and gas extraction. Moreover, hydrodynamic processes of canyons enhance the down-canyon transport of litter. The effects of climate change may modify the intensity of currents. This potential hydrographic change is predicted to impact the structure and functioning of canyon communities as well as affect nutrient supply to the deep-ocean ecosystem. This review not only identifies the ecological status of canyons, and current and future issues for canyon conservation, but also highlights the need for a better understanding of anthropogenic impacts on canyon ecosystems and proposes other research required to inform management measures to protect canyon ecosystems.

Fil: Fernandez Arcaya, Ulla. Instituto Espanol de Oceanografia; . Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar; España

Fil: Ramirez Llodra, Eva. Norsk Institutt For Vannforskning; Noruega

Fil: Aguzzi, Jacopo. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar; España

Fil: Allcock, A. Louise. National University Of Ireland Galway; Irlanda

Fil: Davies, Jaime S.. Plymouth University. School of biological and Marine Sciences; Reino Unido

Fil: Dissanayake, Awanta. Plymouth University. School of biological and Marine Sciences; Reino Unido

Fil: Harris, Peter. GRID-Arendal; Noruega

Fil: Howell, Kerry. Plymouth University. School of biological and Marine Sciences; Noruega

Fil: Huvenne, Veerle A. I.. University of Southampton. National Oceanography Centre. Waterfront Campus; Reino Unido

Fil: Macmillan Lawler, Miles. GRID-Arendal; Noruega

Fil: Martín de Nascimento, Jacobo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina

Fil: Menot, Lenaick. Ifremer. REM/EEP/Laboratoire Environnement Profond; Francia

Fil: Nizinski, Martha. NOAA/NMFS. National Systematics Lab.; Estados Unidos

Fil: Puig, Pere. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Ciencias del Mar; España

Fil: Rowden, Ashley A.. National Institute Of Water And Atmospheric Research; Nueva Zelanda

Fil: Sanchez, Florence. Ifremer, RBE/HGS/Laboratoire Ressources Halieutiques d'Aquitaine; España

Fil: Van den Beld, Inge M. J.. Ifremer. REM/EEP/Laboratoire Environnement Profond; Francia