Recent trends and biases in mesophotic ecosystem research
Mesophotic ecosystems (approx. 30-150 m) represent a significant proportion of the world's oceans yet have long remained understudied due to challenges in accessing these deeper depths. Owing to advances in underwater technologies and a growing scientific and management interest, there has been a major expansion in research of both (sub)tropical mesophotic coral ecosystems and temperate mesophotic ecosystems. Here, we characterize the recent global trends in mesophotic research through an updated release of the 'mesophotic.org' database (www.mesophotic.org) where we reviewed and catalogued 1500 scientific publications. In doing so, we shed light on four major research biases: a gross imbalance in (a) the geographical spread of research efforts, differences in (b) the focal depth range and (c) research fields associated with study organisms and research platforms, and (d) the lack of temporal studies. Overall, we are optimistic about the future of mesophotic research and hope that by highlighting current trends and imbalances, we can raise awareness and stimulate discussion on the future directions of this emerging field.
Authors
- Johanna C. Gijsbers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5741-3792)
- Gaby E Carpenter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4956-6569)
- Angela Stevenson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9487-0047)
- Ryan J. Eckert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3010-9395)
- Veronica Z. Radice (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4867-0164)
- Ryan Booker
- Manon Broadribb (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5012-0778)
- Pim Bongaerts (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6747-6044)
- Alejandra Hernández‐Agreda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9033-8272)
- Jessica Bellworthy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2674-2750)
- Nicola L. Foster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9796-1753)
- Valerio Micaroni
- Jack H. Laverick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8829-2084)
- Alexis B. Sturm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2153-7811)
- Erika Gress (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4662-4017)
- Gonzalo Pérez‐Rosales (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6577-3416)
- Héloïse Rouzé (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3380-0883)
- Clara Diaz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3288-6398)
- Miriam Pierotti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4514-6429)
Institutions
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (GB)
- Louisiana State University (US)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US)
- NOAA National Ocean Service (US)
- University of Salento (IT)
- University of Strathclyde (GB)
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK)
- California Academy of Sciences (US)
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (DE)
- Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
- NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (US)
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MX)
- Florida Atlantic University (US)
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (US)
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (US)
- University of Guam (GU)
- James Cook University (AU)
- University of Plymouth (GB)
- University of Haifa (IL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biology Letters
- Published
- 2024-12-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0465
- Citations
- 9
- Primary Topic
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.13