title: The ecology of seamounts: structure, function, and human impacts.
abstract: In this review of seamount ecology, we address a number of key scientific issues concerning the structure and function of benthic communities, human impacts, and seamount management and conservation. We consider whether community composition and diversity differ between seamounts and continental slopes, how important dispersal capabilities are in seamount connectivity, what environmental factors drive species composition and diversity, whether seamounts are centers of enhanced biological productivity, and whether they have unique trophic architecture. We discuss how vulnerable seamount communities are to fishing and mining, and how we can balance exploitation of resources and conservation of habitat. Despite considerable advances in recent years, there remain many questions about seamount ecosystems that need closer integration of molecular, oceanographic, and ecological research.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Wellington 6021, New Zealand. m.clark@niwa.co.nz
authors.forename: Malcolm R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Ashley A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rowden
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schlacher
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Mireille
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Consalvey
authors.forename: Karen I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Stocks
authors.forename: Alex D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: O'Hara
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Shank
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hall-Spencer
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D006802:Human Activities; D009792:Oceans and Seas