Objective
This project investigates the factors controlling deep-sea
benthic communities, in particular perturbations at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. The study is a development of a previous MAST contract with more clearly focused objectives and now including a significant modelling element.
The general objectives of the project are:
1. to describe the natural structure and variability in
offshore benthic communities of the North-East Atlantic;
2. to relate the structure and variability to processes in the physical, chemical, and biological environment;
3. to describe the trophic network in the benthic boundary layer and estimate the organic carbon flux through the
deep-sea benthic ecosystem; and
4. to attempt to predict the changes that are likely to be associated with natural and anthropogenic disturbance.
The project is carried out on 3 levels:
- acquisition of raw data and samples on a number of
cruises which concentrate on two sites in the NE
Atlantic;
- main research programmes, involving the initial analysis and interpretation of samples and data, divided into one
section on structural aspects and another on processes;
and
- combination of a number of specific modelling approaches which will contribute to the overall analysis of deep-sea
benthic ecosystems.
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
GU8 5UB Godalming
United Kingdom
Participants (11)
SL5 7PY Ascot
75005 Paris
London
PA34 4AD Oban
22765 Hamburg
2750 Cascais
9000 Gent
90 Galway
AB9 2TN Aberdeen
SO14 3ZH Southampton
G1 1XH Glasgow
