Habitat characterization of deep-water coral reefs in La Gaviera Canyon (Avilés Canyon System, Cantabrian Sea)

Sánchez, Francisco Arreguín; González-Pola, César; Druet, M.; García‐Alegre, Ana; Acosta, Juan; Cristobo, Javier; Parra, Santiago; Ríos, Pilar; Altuna, Álvaro; Gómez-Ballesteros, M.; Muñoz-Recio, A.; Rivera, Jesús; Río, Guillermo Díaz del

doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.12.014

Cited by 60 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…This asymmetry in canyons-one eroded flank and one sedimentary flank-has been previously observed in the Bay of Biscay (Van Rooij et al, 2010;De Mol et al, 2011;Huvenne et al, 2011;Sanchez et al, 2014), in the Mediterranean (Orejas et al, 2009;Fabri et al, 2014) and off Canada (Mortensen and Buhl-Mortensen, 2005). The observed asymmetry is due to a dominated current, e.g., a westerly current in Cassidaigne Canyon, or dense shelf water cascading in Cap de Creus and Lacaze-Duthiers Canyons (Orejas et al, 2009;Fabri et al, 2014).…”

Section: Distribution Of Coral Habitats At Regional and Canyon Scalesmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Thus far, there have been few studies within the Bay of Biscay. They mainly focused on scleractinian species (Joubin, 1922;Zibrowius, 1980;Reveillaud et al, 2008) and facies (Le Danois, 1948;De Mol et al, 2011;Sanchez et al, 2014) or coral habitats and assemblages, in Whittard, Dangeard or Explorer Canyons (Howell et al, 2011;Huvenne et al, 2011;Morris et al, 2013;Davies et al, 2014;Robert et al, 2015). Le Danois (1948) described both scleractinian and sand/mud facies on the continental margin of the Bay of Biscay as one of the first studies in this basin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

et al. 2017

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The topographical and hydrological complexity of submarine canyons, coupled with high substratum heterogeneity, make them ideal environments for cold-water coral (CWC) habitats. These habitats, including reefs, are thought to provide important functions for many organisms. The canyons incising the continental slope of the Bay of Biscay have distinct morphological differences from the north to the south. CWCs have been reported from this basin in the late nineteenth century; however, little is known about their present-day distribution, diversity and environmental drivers in the canyons. In this study, the characteristics and distribution of CWC habitats in the submarine canyons of the Bay of Biscay are investigated. Twenty-four canyons and three locations between adjacent canyons were sampled using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or a towed camera system. Acquired images were annotated for habitat type (using the CoralFISH classification system), substrate cover and coral identification. Furthermore, the influence of hydrological factors and geomorphology on the CWC distribution was investigated. Eleven coral habitats, formed by 62 morphotypes of scleractinians, gorgonians, antipatharians and seapens, inhabiting hard and/or soft substrate, were observed. The distribution patterns were heterogenous at regional and local scales; the south Bay of Biscay and the southeastern flank favored soft substrate habitats. Biogenic and hard substrate habitats supported higher coral diversities than soft substrate habitats and had similar species compositions. A higher coral species turnover characterized soft substrate habitats. Substrate type was the most important driver of the patterns in both distribution and composition. Observations of coral reefs on steeper areas in the canyons and coral rubble on flatter areas on the interfluve/upper slope support the hypothesis that canyons serve as refuges, being less accessible to trawling, although natural causes may also contribute to the explanation of this distribution pattern. The results of this study fed into a proposal of a Natura 2000 network in the Bay of Biscay where management plans are rare.

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Section: Distribution Of Coral Habitats At Regional and Canyon Scalesmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

et al. 2017

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“…Coral colonies can form mound-like features (bioherms) or are found attached to vertical walls, overhangs, drop stones, or any exposed hard substrata within canyons (Orejas et al, 2009;De Mol et al, 2011;Huvenne et al, 2011; Davies et al, 2014;Sánchez et al, 2014). However, patches or reefs, particularly those composed of scleractinians, often have a low density of live corals and a high amount of sediment between the colonies.…”

Section: Canyon Effects On Benthic Sessile Fauna and Infaunamentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Role of Submarine Canyons and Need for Canyon Conservation: A Review

et al. 2017

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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.

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“…Sampling was focused on the Avilés Canyon System, which is located very close to the coast off the city of Avilés (Bay of Biscay, north of Spain). It is one of the deepest canyons in the world ) and has a great biological production and biodiversity (Cristobo et al 2009;Sánchez et al 2012). The canyon is in fact formed by a system of several subcanyons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…

Abstract Twenty-eight species of scleractinian corals were collected between 55 and 2,291 m depth during IN-DEMARES 2010-2012 expeditions to the Avilés Canyon System and the near continental shelf (Bay of Biscay). Most interesting species are described and all depicted.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from INDEMARES 2010–2012 expeditions to the Avilés Canyon System (Bay of Biscay, Spain, northeast Atlantic)

Altuna¹,

Ríos

2014

Helgol Mar Res

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Twenty-eight species of scleractinian corals were collected between 55 and 2,291 m depth during IN-DEMARES 2010-2012 expeditions to the Avilés Canyon System and the near continental shelf (Bay of Biscay). Most interesting species are described and all depicted. All species were already known from the northeast Atlantic, although some are seldom reported. Deltocyathus eccentricus and Flabellum chunii are northernmost records in the eastern Atlantic, and species first collected from the Bay of Biscay. From a literature review and new records given herein, 31 species of Scleractinia are known from the Avilés Canyon System. Live specimens of six species were recorded outside their previously known bathymetric ranges in the Bay of Biscay and nearby areas, either at shallower depths (Caryophyllia sarsiae, Monomyces pygmaea, Stephanocyathus nobilis), or deeper depths (C. atlantica, C. sarsiae, Enallopsammia rostrata, Solenosmilia variabilis). Desmophyllum cristagalli has the widest bathymetric range (551-2,291 m), and Lophelia pertusa is the most widely distributed species (24 stations). Tabulating the number of live species occurring in each 100-m depth interval of the canyon system, highest species richness occurs in the 700-800-, 800-900-, and 1,400-1,500-m depth intervals (11 species). The habitat-forming species L. pertusa and Madrepora oculata were abundant in some stations building well-developed coral banks. Live colonies of the big-sized species S. variabilis and E. rostrata co-occurred at the deepest station sampled that yielded scleractinia (2,291 m).

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Habitat characterization of deep-water coral reefs in La Gaviera Canyon (Avilés Canyon System, Cantabrian Sea)

Cited by 60 publications

References 73 publications

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

Cold-Water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons of the Bay of Biscay

Ecological Role of Submarine Canyons and Need for Canyon Conservation: A Review

Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from INDEMARES 2010–2012 expeditions to the Avilés Canyon System (Bay of Biscay, Spain, northeast Atlantic)

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