title: Seafloor massive sulfide deposits support unique megafaunal assemblages: Implications for seabed mining and conservation.
abstract: Mining of seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) is imminent, but the ecology of assemblages at SMS deposits is poorly known. Proposed conservation strategies include protected areas to preserve biodiversity at risk from mining impacts. Determining site suitability requires biological characterisation of the mine site and protected area(s). Video survey of a proposed mine site and protected area off New Zealand revealed unique megafaunal assemblages at the mine site. Significant relationships were identified between assemblage structure and environmental conditions, including hydrothermal features. Unique assemblages occurred at both active and inactive chimneys and are particularly at risk from mining-related impacts. The occurrence of unique assemblages at the mine site suggests that the proposed protected area is insufficient alone and should instead form part of a network. These results provide support for including hydrothermally active and inactive features within networks of protected areas and emphasise the need for quantitative survey data of proposed sites.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Electronic address: reboschen@uvic.ca.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Boschen
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ashley A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rowden
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Malcolm R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie, Wellington 6241, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pallentin
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jonathan P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D060086:Hydrothermal Vents; D008906:Mining; D013440:Sulfides
chemical_list: D013440:Sulfides
keywords: Assemblages; Conservation; Deep sea; Distribution; Management; Megabenthos; Mining; Protected areas; Seafloor massive sulfides; Site selection