title: Colonization and succession in deep-sea ecosystems.
abstract: Experimental studies reveal generally slow but variable colonization rates in deep-sea soft bottoms. Species successions following biological disturbance appear to be complex and unpredictable, potentially playing a role in structuring these diverse communities. In contrast, physical processes probably play a prominent role in the rapid species turnovers observed at hydrothermal vents. Better information concerning disturbance regimes, recruitment processes and resource utilization is required to elaborate successional mechanisms in both soft-bottom and vent environments.
authors.affiliation: Craig Smith is at the School of Oceanography WB-10, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Hessler