Azores Deep-sea Research — Project MapGES

MapGES

Mapping deep-sea biodiversity and “Good Environmental Status” in the Azores: assisting with the implementation of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

MapGES

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Mapping deep-sea biodiversity and “Good Environmental Status” in the Azores: assisting with the implementation of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Period: 01 Sep 2016 to 31 Dec 2019

Funding: 1 source(s)

AZORES DEEP-SEA RESEARCH

Time period

01 Sep 2016 to 31 Dec 2019

Funding

Regional ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-00056

Regional Government of the Azores, PO Açores 2020, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF / FEDER)

Budget: 148,200.00 €

Summary

Mapping deep-sea biodiversity and “Good Environmental Status” in the Azores: assisting with the implementation of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

To achieve this ambition, the main objectives of MapGES were: (1) to improve the understanding, model and map biodiversity of different types of VMEs indicator taxa and key deep-sea fish species across the Azores EEZ; (2) to apply indicators of GES relevant to the Azores deep-sea ecosystems for the MSFD and its constituent descriptors; (3) measure and predict changes in biodiversity and species biogeography in the Azores under future scenarios of dynamics of the North Atlantic; and (4) identify priority areas for management and conservation in the Azores as a precursor to the future development of an Atlantic wide Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. MapGES employed a multitude of methodologies ranging from desktop studies to build upon past scientific results, new imagery data collection using state-of-the-art research cruises technologies, new methodologies to measure baseline values of GES, state-of-the-art species distribution models coupled with detailed analysis of North Atlantic circulation to predict changes in biodiversity and species biogeography, and new methods to identify priority areas for conservation in the Azores.

MapGES was built closely linked with the Horizon 2020 ATLAS project and envisioned to bring together existing and new biodiversity data and results from recent analysis of the dynamics of the North Atlantic to deepen the understanding of the biodiversity and biogeographic patterns of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) indicator taxa and key deep-sea fish species in the Azores and forecast changes under future scenarios of water mass structure and ocean currents. With MapGES, we anticipated this new understanding will improve the application of indicators of Good Environmental Status (GES) relevant to the Azores ecosystems for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and its constituent descriptors.

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Our Team's role

We lead the MapGES project, all the workpackages, and the outreach activities.

Involved team members

Telmo Morato

Coordinator

Marina Carreiro-Silva

Scientist

Luís Rodrigues

Scientist

Carlos Dominguez-Carrió

Early-career researcher

Laurence Fauconnet

Early-career researcher

Gerald Hechter Taranto

Research Assistant

Sérgio Gomes

Research Assistant

Manuela Ramos

PhD Student

Collaborators

Jorge Fontes

Gonçalo Graça

Laurence Fauconnet

Irís Sampaio

Cristina Gutiérrez

Jordi Blasco

Main results

MapGES contributed with baseline data, new analyses and information to the priority thematic area Fisheries and Oceans, mostly to positioning the Azores in the centre of the deep-sea marine research, knowledge transfer, resources management and governance. MapGES contributed to more than ten areas of action within the RIS3 Azores framework and contributed new data to inform the implementation of several political agendas. For example, MapGES contributed with data-driven spatial systematic conservation planning scenarios to inform marine spatial planning processes in the Azores, and therefore contributing to the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. MapGES also contributed a significant amount of scientific knowledge on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in support of the implementation of protection measures that will have an important impact in terms of fisheries regulations and sustainable exploitation of the Azores' fishing grounds. MapGES was built closely linked with the Horizon 2020 ATLAS project and, therefore, shared many of the main results.

New multibeam bathymetry data has been compiled and added to the ADSR database from recent oceanographic surveys recently carried out in the Azores EEZ. New data has increased the area of fine-scale seabed bathymetry data.
New specimens have been added, together with relevant information about their taxonomy and biogeography to “Coleta” database; the most representative collection of Azorean benthic biodiversity currently stored at IMAR. The species database currently holds 10,299 entries, 23% of which correspond to coral species.
MapGES had the vision to develop a low-cost imagery system for rapid appraisals of the deep sea. The Azor drift-cam was born in 2019, providing the possibility of exploring the slopes and summits of shallow seamounts and ridges, as well as shelf areas around the islands, without the need of large oceanographic vessels and high budgets. During the MapGES project, the Azor drift-cam has been successfully deployed over 160 times, covering almost 100 linear km of the seabed and has generated more than 120 hours of seafloor images.
Deep-sea discoveries: The Azores region was found to harbour particularly diverse coral gardens, forming at least seven distinct coral garden communities dominated by different species of octocorals discovered during ATLAS/MapGES cruises. Both historical and new knowledge generated during ATLAS/MapGES have demonstrated the Azores as a hotspot of CWC diversity, representing the highest species richness known of Octocorallia in Europe and in any of the North Atlantic archipelagos. ATLAS/MapGES also contributed to the identification of several new species to science.
New hydrothermal vent discovered: A new hydrothermal vent field was discovered on the slopes of Gigante, a seamount on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the seas of the Azores. This system differs considerably from other known hydrothermal fields along the MAR in terms of fluid chemistry with dominance of hydrogen and iron, and low temperature. The ‘Luso’ hydrothermal vent field was declared as No Fishing Area in 2019 (Portaria no. 68/2019).
New areas that fit the Vulnerable Marine ecosystem criteria: Eight areas in the Azores were identified as VMEs composed of diverse coral gardens, deep-sea sponge aggregations and hydrothermal Vent. These were Cavalo Seamount, a ridge on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Gigante Seamount, Condor Seamount, Dom João de Castro Seamount, and Mar de Prata Seamount because of various coral gardens; the South of Pico Island because of a deep-sea sponge aggregation of Pheronema carpenter; and the newly discovered Hydrothermal Vent Luso.
Predicted distribution: Habitat suitability models developed for 13 vulnerable marine ecosystems indicator taxa in the Azores EEZ, showed a strong association of the predicted distribution of CWC taxa with areas of local relief, being them island shelves or slopes, ridges or seamounts. However, even among areas of similar depths, models discriminated between suitable and unsuitable zones showing that model outputs were not exclusively driven by depth correlated changes in environmental predictors.
Impact of climate change on food supply and survival of deep-sea ecosystems: Results from a series of ATLAS experiments on the physiology of cold-water corals and deep-water sponges revealed that cumulative effects of climate change on food supply and ocean acidification impact the distribution and function of corals. This work highlighted that, as a result of climate change, predicted decreases in food availability and responses to ocean acidification will likely impact long-term growth and life cycles of corals. A better understanding of the interactive effects of climate change on deep-sea ecosystems supports accurate monitoring, modelling and future predictions.
Predictive maps for future habitat suitability: ATLAS/MapGES have modelled and developed predictive maps of habitat suitability for six cold-water coral and six deep-sea fish species under current conditions and forecast changes under future projected high-emission climate conditions for the whole North Atlantic Ocean. The results forecasted that over 50% of cold-water coral habitats could be at risk, and suitable habitats for commercially important deep-sea fish could shift by up to 100 km northwards. This work has important implications for the designation of effective area-based conservation measures and adaptive management strategies.
Good Environmental Status in the deep-sea: ATLAS/MapGES participated in a preliminary assessment of the environmental status of selected North Atlantic deep-sea ecosystems. We suggested that the low availability of long-term data sets limits our knowledge about natural variability and human impacts in the deep sea preventing a more systematic assessment of habitat and ecosystem components in the deep sea.
An index to identify biodiversity hotspots: ATLAS/MapGES developed a novel multi-criteria assessment method to more objectively identify Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) in the North-East Atlantic Ocean, often biodiversity hotspots. The method evaluates how likely a given area of seafloor is to represent a VME, providing a more systematic and standardised approach (robust and repeatable numeric method) for assessing and identifying VME regions in the North-East Atlantic Ocean.
ATLAS/MapGES developed systematic conservation planning approaches to support area-based management plans in the Azores and in the North Atlantic Ocean.

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EUNIS habitat classification and associated confidence shapefiles for Atlantic regions investigated by the EU H2020 project iAtlantic (Version 3)

Jan, 2023

2 team members are authors

OA DOI 10.1594/PANGAEA.962621

Authors 10.1594/PANGAEA.962621

Pearman, Tabitha Strong, James Domínguez-Carrió, Carlos

Rodrigues, Luís

Morato, Telmo Philibert, Genevieve Campbell, Calvin Murillo-Perez, Javier Cantwell, Kasey Sowers, Derek Hoy, Shannon Kelsey Vinha, Beatriz Schumacher, Mia Olu, Karine Menot, Lenaick Matabos, Marjolaine Sink, Kerry Perez, José Angel Alvarez Gavazzoni, Lucas Sant'ana, Rodrigo Huvenne, Veerle A I

Abstract

This dataset includes 11 regional EUNIS-classified habitat maps (100-1000 km) and associated confidence maps that were created as a project milestone (Nr. 12) of the EU H2020 project 'iAtlantic'. The 12 iAtlantic regions encompass 1. Subpolar Mid-Atlantic Ridge, off Iceland MFRI, 2. Rockall Trough to PAP, 3. Central mid-Atlantic Ridge, 4. NW Atlantic, Gully Canyon, 5. Sargasso Sea, 6. Eastern Tropical North Atlantic, Cape Verde, 7. Equatorial Atlantic, Romanche Fracture Zone, 8. Slope & margin off Angola & Congo Lobe, 9. Benguela Current, Walvis Ridge to South Africa, 10. Brazil margin & Santos and Campos Basin, 11. Vitória-Trindade Seamount Chain and 12. Malvinas Current. For each of the regions 2-12, a shapefile of polygons classified according to the 2022 EUNIS classification level 3 and a second shapefile of the same polygons attributed with their confidence level according to the MESH Accuracy & Confidence Working approach was created. EUNIS classifications combined biozone and substrate data. Biozones were assigned from bathymetry. Where MBES was not available, GEBCO bathymetry was used. Substrate data were extracted from pre-existing geological/substrate mapping efforts and converted to EUNIS classifications via cross walks or, where substrate data were limited, substrate layers were modelled using Random Forest. The EUNIS habitat map for Region 4 was based on the pre-existing surficial geology compilation of the Scotian Shelf bioregion compiled by the Geological Survey of Canada. The EUNIS habitat map for Region 9 was based on the pre-existing South African habitat map that uses a modified IUCN hierarchical classification system. No additional information to that used in the EUSeaMap was available for Region 1. Therefore, shapefiles were not created for Region 1.

Habitat suitability maps for vulnerable and foundation cold-water coral taxa of the Azores (NE Atlantic)

Jan, 2023

6 team members are authors

OA Citations 1 DOI 10.1594/PANGAEA.955223

Authors 10.1594/PANGAEA.955223

Taranto, Gerald Hechter

González-Irusta, José-Manuel Domínguez-Carrió, Carlos Pham, Christopher Kim Tempera, Fernando

Ramos, Manuela

Gonçalves, Guilherme

Carreiro-Silva, Marina

Morato, Telmo

Abstract

We developed habitat suitability models for 14 vulnerable and foundation cold-water coral (CWC) taxa of the Azores (NE Atlantic) using GAM and MAXENT models. The modelled taxa are: Acanthogorgia spp., Callogorgia verticillata, Coralliidae spp., Dentomuricea aff. meteor, Desmophyllum pertusum, Errina dabneyi, Leiopathes cf. expansa, Madrepora oculata, Narella bellissima, Narella versluysi, Paracalyptrophora josephinae, Paragorgia johnsoni, Solenosmilia variabilis and Viminella flagellum. Models were built using a model grid having a cell size of a 1.13 x 1.11 km (i.e. about 0.01° in the UTM zone 26N projection). This resolution was considered a good compromise between the original resolution of occurrence and environmental data and our capacity to resolve suitable and unsuitable areas within the same geomorphological feature using model predictions. Study area and model background were limited to depths shallower than 2000 m where most of the sampling events took place. Predictors variables included bathymetric position indexes (5 km and 20 km radii), slope, particulate organic carbon flux, seawater chemistry (principal component of dissolved near-seafloor nutrient concentration and calcite/aragonite saturation levels) and near seafloor values of current speed, oxygen saturation and temperature. Presence records were obtained from two different sources: species annotations from underwater imagery (76%) and longline and handline bycatch records (24 %).The published data include: 1. Binary GAM and Maxent habitat suitability predictions. A bootstrap process (n = 100) evaluated the local confidence of model predictions. Each bootstrap iteration sampled occurrence data with replacement, fitted HSMs models and produced binary suitability maps based on sensitivity‐specificity sum maximization thresholds. Depending on the number of times individual raster cells were predicted as suitable they were classified as: low [1-30%), medium [30-70%) or high [70-100%] confidence suitable cells. This process was repeated independently for GAM and Maxent models. In raster layers: (3) identifies high-confidence suitable cells, (2) medium-confidence suitable cells, (1) low-confidence suitable cells and NAs unsuitable cells. 2. Local fuzzy matching of GAM and Maxent habitat suitability predictions. The level of similarity between the spatial distribution of GAM and Maxent binary predictions (low, medium and high confidence suitable cells) at a local (i.e. cell) level was measured considering two membership functions: category similarity, which assumed that some categories were more similar than others; distance decay, which defined the fuzzy similarity of two cells as (i) identical if they matched perfectly, (ii) linearly decreasing with distance if the matching category was found within a 2-cell radius (~2 km) or (iii) totally different when no matching category was found within a 2-cell radius. After combining the two membership functions similarity scores ranged from 0 (totally different) to 1 (identical). Values of similarity greater than 0.5 indicate raster cells that are more similar than different.3. Combined habitat suitability maps. Suitable raster cells of combined habitat suitability maps were classified as follows: (i) high confidence suitable cell (3 in raster layers), raster cell predicted as suitable with high-confidence by both GAM and Maxent models; (ii) medium confidence suitable cell (2 in raster layers), raster cell predicted as suitable with medium or high confidence by GAM, Maxent or both and with a local fuzzy similarity greater than 0.5; (iii) low confidence suitable cell (1 in raster layers), any other cell predicted as suitable by GAM and/or Maxent.4. Cold water coral richness based on habitat suitability predictions. The .tif file shows the number of taxa predicted as suitable for each raster cell. Note that only high confidence suitable cells of combined habitat suitability maps are considered.

Model outputs: Modelling the dispersion of Seafloor Massive Sulphide mining plumes in the Mid Atlantic Ridge around the Azores

Jan, 2022

3 team members are authors

OA DOI 10.1594/PANGAEA.945244

Authors 10.1594/PANGAEA.945244

Morato, Telmo Juliano, Manuela Pham, Christopher Kim

Carreiro-Silva, Marina

Martins, Ines Colaço, Ana

Abstract

It is increasingly recognised that deep-sea mining of seafloor massive sulphides (SMS) could become an important source of mineral resources. These operations will remove the targeted substrate and produce potentially sediment toxic plumes from in situ seabed excavation and from the return water pumped back down to the seafloor. However, the spatial extent of the impacts of deep-sea mining plumes is still uncertain because few field experiments and models of plumes dispersion have been conducted. Morato et al. (2022) used three-dimensional hydrodynamic models of the Azores region together with a theoretical commercial mining operation of polymetallic SMS to simulate the potential dispersal of sediment plumes originating from different phases of mining operations and to assess the magnitude of potential impacts. The areas used in the modelling work were (from North to South): Cavala seamount (38.265, -30.710), Lucky Strike Hole (37.503, -31.955), Menez Hom (37.109, -32.618), Famous (37.001, -33.039), Saldanha (36.658, -33.420), and Rainbow (36.262 -33.824). The datasets published here contain all the model outputs, namely for 1) the in situ excavation sediment plume, 2) the return water discharge plume, and 3) the return sediments discharge plume:1) The concentration of solids and of the discharge water in each horizontal 2-dimensional space cell is calculated as the maximum concentration in the 50 vertical layers of each 2-dimensional cell, for each output time step (3 hours), averaged over all time steps during each trimester and during a 12-months simulation.1.1) Concentration of sediments produced during the in situ excavation sediment plume calculated as the maximum concentration in the 50 vertical layers of each 2-dimensional cell, for each output time step (3 hours), averaged over all time steps during a 12-months simulation. Sediments were composed of six classes of different particle diameter (0-10 μm, 10-50 μm, 50-100 μm, 100-200 μm, 200-2,000 μm, and >2,000 μm), an average particle density of 3,780 kg·m-3, and resultant settling velocities ranging from 75.1 cm·s-1 to 0.002 cm·s-1.1.2) Concentration of return water discharge plume (shown in dilution folds) in six study areas calculated as the maximum concentration in the 50 vertical layers of each 2-dimensional cell, for each output time step (3 hours), averaged over all time steps during a 12-months simulation and assuming a control temperature as the annual minimum temperature of each location (T1). The salinity of discharge was calculated assuming the MOHID salinity of 83.3% surface water and 16.7% of seafloor water.1.3) Concentration of sediments in the return sediment discharge plume, calculated as the maximum concentration in the 50 vertical layers of each 2-dimensional cell, for each output time step (3 hours), averaged over all time steps during a 12-months simulation. The average particle diameter was assumed to be 4 µm with an average particle density of 3,780 kg·m-3 and a resultant settling velocity of 0.002 cm·s-1.2) The proportion of simulated time (temporal frequency) that a specific 2-dimensional space contained plume concentrations higher than the adopted thresholds; 1.2 mg·L-1 for sediment solids and 5,000 fold dilution for discharge water. Those cells whose temporal frequency above the thresholds was greater than 50%, i.e. 6 months out of 12 months, were considered as cells with persistent plumes.2.1) Proportion of simulated time (temporal frequency) that a specific a 2-dimensional space cell, in six study areas, contained in situ excavation sediment plume above a 1.2 mg·L-1 concentration threshold, during a 12-months simulation, assuming six classes of particle diameter (0-10 μm, 10-50 μm, 50-100 μm, 100-200 μm, 200-2,000 μm, and >2,000 μm), an average particle density of 3,780 kg·m-3, and resultant settling velocities ranging from 75.1 cm·s-1 to 0.002 cm·s-1.2.2) Proportion of simulated time (temporal frequency) that a specific 2-dimensional space, in six study areas, contained return water discharge plume concentrations higher than the adopted thresholds (i.e., 5,000 fold dilution), during a 12-months simulation and assuming a control temperature as the annual minimum temperature of each location (T1). The salinity of discharge was calculated assuming the MOHID salinity of 83.3% surface water and 16.7% of seafloor water.2.3) Proportion of simulated time (temporal frequency) that a specific 2-dimensional space cell, in six study areas, contained return sediments discharge plume above a 1.2 mg·L-1 concentration threshold, during a 12-months simulation, assuming an average particle diameter of 4 µm, an average particle density of 3,780 kg·m-3, and a resultant settling velocity of 0.002 cm·s-1.3) In addition to the thresholds and targets described above, the datasets also present the model results for Cavala seamount and Lucky Strike Hole against other thresholds: 5 mg·L-1, 10 mg·L-1 and 25 mg·L-1 for sediments and 1,000, 600, 300 and 200 fold dilution for discharge water.4) Seasonal variations in the model outputs for plumes dispersal are also presented for Cavala seamount and Lucky Strike Hole by computing the probability of concentration above thresholds for four periods of three months (January-March, April-June, July-September, and October-December). In these scenarios, the model run duration was approximately 90 days.5) The sediment thickness of the settled sediments from the discharge sediment and excavation.5.1) Bottom thickness of settled sediments produced during the in situ excavation sediment plume assuming six classes of particle diameter (0-10 μm, 10-50 μm, 50-100 μm, 100-200 μm, 200-2,000 μm, and >2,000 μm), an average particle density of 3,780 kg·m-3, and resultant settling velocities ranging from 75.1 cm·s-1 to 0.002 cm·s-1. The duration of the simulation is one year.5.2) Bottom thickness of settled sediments from the return sediment discharge plume modelled assuming an average particle diameter of 4 µm, an average particle density of 3,780 kg·m-3, and a resultant settling velocity of 0.002 cm·s-1. The duration of the simulation is one year.

Blue Azores Program Expedition 2018, Station 57, Dive 15: annotation of Paragorgia johnsoni Gray, 1862

Apr, 2021

6 team members are authors

OA Citations 1 DOI 10.5281/zenodo.4727164

Authors 10.5281/zenodo.4727164

Carlos Dominguez‐Carrió

Gerald H. Taranto

Manuela Ramos Oscar Vicente Ocaña

Laurence Fauconnet Emanuel J. Gonçalves

Marina Carreiro‐Silva

Telmo Morato

Abstract

Annotation of Paragorgia johnsoni Gray, 1862 colonies from underwater video footage recorded during the Blue Azores 2018 Expedition with the ROV Luso onboard the NRP Almirante Gago Coutinho, Station 57, Dive 15 (June 23^rd, 2018). The images correspond to the octocoral garden discovered between 545 and 595 m depth on the slopes of a small ridge-like structure located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, in the Azores region.

Outputs of predictive distribution models of deep-sea elasmobranchs in the Azores EEZ (down to 2,000m depth) using Generalized Additive Models

Jan, 2022

3 team members are authors

OA DOI 10.1594/pangaea.940808

Authors 10.1594/pangaea.940808

González-Irusta, José Manuel

Fauconnet, Laurence Das, Diya Catarino, Diana Afonso, Pedro Viegas, Cláudia Neto

Rodrigues, Luís Menezes, Gui M Rosa, Alexandra Pinho, Mário Rui Rilhó Silva, Hélder Marques Da Giacomello, Eva

Morato, Telmo

Abstract

Description: We developed predictive distribution models of deep-sea elasmobranchs for up to 2000 m depth in the Azores EEZ and neighboring seamounts, from approximately 33°N to 43°N and 20°W to 36°W. Georeferenced presence, absence, and abundance data were obtained from scientific surveys and commercial operations reporting at least one deep-sea elasmobranch capture. A 20-year 'survey dataset' (1996-2017) was compiled from annual scientific demersal surveys using two types of bottom longlines (types LLA and LLB), and an 'observer dataset' (2004-2018) from observer programs covering commercial fisheries operations using bottom longline (similar to type LLA) and vertical handline ('gorazeira'). We used the most ecologically relevant candidate environmental predictors for explaining the spatial distribution of deep-sea elasmobranch in the Azores: depth, slope, northness, eastness, Bathymetric Position Index (BPI), nitrates, and near bottom currents. We merged existing multibeam data for the Azores EEZ with bathymetry data extracted from EMODNET (EMODnet Bathymetry Consortium 2018) to calculate depth values (down to 2000m). All variables were projected with the Albers equal-area conical projection centered in the middle of the study area and were rescaled using bilinear interpolation to a final grid cell resolution of 1.12 x1.12 km (i.e., 0.012°). Slope, northness, and eastness were computed from the depth raster using the function terrain in the R package raster. BPI was derived from the rescaled depth with an inner radius of 3 and an outer radius of 25 grid cells using the Benthic Terrain Model 3.0 tool in ArcGIS 10.1. Nitrates were extracted from Amorim et al. (2017). Near-bottom current speed (m·s-1) average values were based on a MOHID hydrodynamic model application (Viegas et al., 2018) with an original resolution of 0.054°. Besides the environmental variables, we also included three operational predictors in the analysis: year, fishing effort (number of hooks) and gear type (longline LLA and LLB, and gorazeira).

Democratizing deep-sea research for biodiversity conservation

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Oct, 2025

11 team members are authors

DOI 10.1016/j.tree.2025.09.015

Authors 10.1016/j.tree.2025.09.015

Telmo Morato

Luís Rodrigues

Marina Carreiro‐Silva

João Balsa

Inês Bruno

Inês Carneiro

Laurence Fauconnet

Guilherme Gonçalves Marc P Vilavendrell

Manuela Ramos

Gerald H. Taranto

Carlos Dominguez‐Carrió

Deep-sea ecosystems of the North Atlantic Ocean: discovery, status, function and future challenges

Deep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers

Aug, 2025

1 team member is author

OA DOI 10.1016/j.dsr.2025.104580

Authors 10.1016/j.dsr.2025.104580

A. Louise Allcock Diva J. Amon Amelia E.h. Bridges Ana Colaço Elva Escobar‐Briones Ana Hilário Kerry L. Howell Nélia C. Mestre Frank Müller‐Karger Imants G. Priede Paul V. R. Snelgrove Kathleen Sullivan Sealey Joana R. Xavier Anna M. Addamo Teresa Amaro Geethani Bandara Narissa Bax Andreia Braga‐Henriques Angelika Brandt Saskia Brix Sergio Cambronero‐Solano Cristina Cedeño – Posso Jon Copley Erik E. Cordes Jorge Cortés Aldo Cróquer Daphné Cuvelier Jaime S. Davies Jennifer M. Durden Patricia Esquete Nicola L. Foster Inmaculada Frutos Ryan Gasbarro Andrew R. Gates Marta Gomes Lucy V.m. Goodwin Tammy Horton Thomas F. Hourigan Henk‐Jan Hoving Daniel O. B. Jones Siddhi Joshi Kelly Kingon Anne‐Nina Lörz Ana María Martins Véronique Merten Anna Meta×As Rosanna Milligan Tina N. Molodtsova

Telmo Morato Declan Morrissey Beatriz Naranjo‐Elizondo Bhavani E. Narayanaswamy Steinunn H. Ólafsdóttir Alexa Parimbelli Marian Peña Nils Piechaud Stefan Ragnarsson Sofia P. Ramalho Clara F. Rodrigues Rebecca E. Ross Hanieh Saeedi Régis Santos Patrick Schwing Tiago Da Rosa Serpa Arvind K. Shantharam Angela Stevenson Ana Belén Yánez-Suárez Tracey Sutton Jörundur Svavarsson Michelle L. Taylor Jesse Van Der Grient Nadescha Zwerschke

Assessment tool addresses implementation challenges of ecosystem-based management principles in marine spatial planning processes

Communications Earth & Environment

Jan, 2025

1 team member is author

OA Citations 15 Rising DOI 10.1038/s43247-024-01975-7

Authors 10.1038/s43247-024-01975-7

Ibon Galparsoro Natalia Montero Gotzon Mandiola Iratxe Menchaca Ángel Borja Wesley Flannery Stelios Katsanevakis Simonetta Fraschetti Erika Fabbrizzi Michael Elliott María Bas Steve Barnard G.j. Piet Sylvaine Giakoumi Maren Kruse Benedict Mcateer Robert Mzungu Runya Olga Lukyanova

Telmo Morato Annaïk Van Gerven S. Degraer Stefan Neuenfeldt Vanessa Stelzenmüller

Abstract

Abstract Ecosystem-based marine spatial planning is an approach to managing maritime activities while ensuring human well-being and biodiversity conservation as key pillars for sustainable development. Here, we use a comprehensive literature review and a co-development process with experts to build an assessment framework and tool that integrates the fundamental principles of an ecosystem approach to management and translates them into specific actions to be undertaken during planning processes. We illustrate the potential of this tool through the evaluation of two national marine spatial plans (Spain and France), in consultation with the representatives involved in their development and implementation. To ensure more coherent future planning, socio-ecological system evolution in a climate change scenario and the future marine space needs of maritime sectors should be considered, as well as improving the governance structure and knowledge of ecosystem processes. This framework provides a consistent and transparent assessment method for practitioners and competent authorities.

Drivers of trophodynamics of the open-ocean and deep-sea environments of the Azores, NE Atlantic

Progress In Oceanography

Sep, 2024

3 team members are authors

OA DOI 10.1016/j.pocean.2024.103357

Authors 10.1016/j.pocean.2024.103357

Joana Brito Ambre Soszynski Johanna J. Heymans Simone Libralato Eva Giacomello

Laurence Fauconnet Gui M. Menezes

Telmo Morato

Spatial distributions, environmental drivers and co-existence patterns of key cold-water corals in the deep sea of the Azores (NE Atlantic)

Deep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers

Mar, 2023

7 team members are authors

OA Citations 20 DOI 10.1016/j.dsr.2023.104028

Authors 10.1016/j.dsr.2023.104028

Gerald H. Taranto

José Manuel González‐Irusta

Carlos Dominguez‐Carrió Christopher K. Pham Fernando Tempera

Manuela Ramos

Guilherme Gonçalves

Marina Carreiro‐Silva

Telmo Morato

Development of a sensitive detection method to survey pelagic biodiversity using eDNA and quantitative PCR: a case study of devil ray at seamounts

Marine Biology

Apr, 2017

1 team member is author

OA Citations 60 DOI 10.1007/s00227-017-3141-x

Authors 10.1007/s00227-017-3141-x

Laura Gargan

Telmo Morato Christopher K. Pham John A. Finarelli Jeanette E. L. Carlsson Jens Carlsson

A Multi Criteria Assessment Method for Identifying Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the North-East Atlantic

Frontiers in Marine Science

Dec, 2018

1 team member is author

OA Citations 60 Rising DOI 10.3389/fmars.2018.00460

Authors 10.3389/fmars.2018.00460

Telmo Morato Christopher K. Pham Carlos Pinto Neil Golding Jeff Ardron P. Durán-Muñoz Francis Neat

Abstract

<p>In international fisheries management, scientific advice on the presence of "vulnerable marine ecosystems" (VMEs) per United Nations resolutions, has generally used qualitative assessments based on expert judgment of the occurrence of indicator taxa such as cold-water corals and sponges. Use of expert judgment alone can be criticized for inconsistency and sometimes a lack of transparency; therefore, development of robust and repeatable numeric methods to detect the presence of VMEs would be advantageous. Here, we present a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) method to evaluate how likely a given area of seafloor represents a VME. The MCA is a taxa-dependent spatial method that accounts for both the quantity and data quality available. This was applied to a database of records of VMEs built, held and compiled by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). A VME index was generated which ranged from 1.51 to 4.52, with 5.0 being reserved for confirmed VME habitats. An index of confidence was also computed that ranged from 0.0 to 0.75, with 1 being reserved for those confirmed VME habitats. Overall the MCA captured the important elements of the ICES VME database and provided a simplified, spatially aggregated, and weighted estimate of how likely a given area is to contain VMEs. The associated estimate of confidence gave an indication of how uncertain that assessment was for the same given area. This methodology provides a more systematic and standardized approach for assessing the likelihood of presence of VMEs in the North-East Atlantic.</p>

Editorial: The Azores Marine Ecosystem: An Open Window Into North Atlantic Open Ocean and Deep-Sea Environments

Frontiers in Marine Science

Oct, 2020

1 team member is author

OA Citations 6 DOI 10.3389/fmars.2020.601798

Authors 10.3389/fmars.2020.601798

Telmo Morato Pedro Afonso Gui M. Menezes Ricardo S. Santos Mónica A. Silva

Abstract

EDITORIAL article Front. Mar. Sci., 30 October 2020 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.601798

SIMSEA: A Multiagent Architecture for Fishing Activity in a Simulated Environment

Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence

Jan, 2019

1 team member is author

OA Citations 1 DOI 10.5220/0007393502020209

Authors 10.5220/0007393502020209

José Cascalho Paulo Trigo Maria João Cruz Armando􀀁 B. Mendes Eva Giacomello Adriana Ressurreição Tomaz Ponce Dentinho

Telmo Morato

Systematic evaluation of a spatially explicit ecosystem model to inform area-based management in the deep-sea

Ocean & Coastal Management

Aug, 2023

2 team members are authors

Citations 6 DOI 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106807

Authors 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106807

Joana Brito Ambre Soszynski Christopher K. Pham Eva Giacomello Gui M. Menezes Jeroen Steenbeek David Chagaris

Telmo Morato

Distribution models of deep-sea elasmobranchs in the Azores, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, to inform spatial planning

Deep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers

Feb, 2022

4 team members are authors

Citations 20 Rising DOI 10.1016/j.dsr.2022.103707

Authors 10.1016/j.dsr.2022.103707

Diya Das

José Manuel González‐Irusta

Telmo Morato

Laurence Fauconnet Diana Catarino Pedro Afonso Cláudia Viegas

Luís Rodrigues Gui M. Menezes Alexandra Rosa Mário Pinho Helder Marques Da Silva Eva Giacomello

Mechanical and toxicological effects of deep-sea mining sediment plumes on a habitat-forming cold-water octocoral

Frontiers in Marine Science

Oct, 2022

5 team members are authors

OA Citations 28 Rising DOI 10.3389/fmars.2022.915650

Authors 10.3389/fmars.2022.915650

Marina Carreiro‐Silva

Inês Martins Virginie Riou Joana Raimundo Miguel Caetano Raúl Bettencourt Maria Rakka

Teresa Cerqueira

António Godinho

Telmo Morato Ana Colaço

Abstract

Deep-sea mining activities are expected to impact deep-sea biota through the generation of sediment plumes that disperse across vast areas of the ocean. Benthic sessile suspension-feeding fauna, such as cold-water corals, may be particularly susceptible to increased suspended sediments. Here, we exposed the cold-water octocoral, Dentomuricea aff. meteor to suspended particles generated during potential mining activities in a four weeks experimental study. Corals were exposed to three experimental treatments: (1) control conditions (no added sediments); (2) suspended polymetallic sulphide (PMS) particles; (3) suspended quartz particles. The two particle treatments were designed to distinguish between potential mechanical and toxicological effects of mining particles. PMS particles were obtained by grinding PMS inactive chimney rocks collected at the hydrothermal vent field Lucky Strike. Both particle types were delivered at a concentration of 25 mg L -1 , but achieved suspended concentrations were 2-3 mg L -1 for the PMS and 15-18 mg L -1 for the quartz particles due to the different particle density. Results of the experiment revealed a significant increase in dissolved cobalt, copper and manganese concentrations in the PMS treatment, resulting from the oxidation of sulphides in contact with seawater. Negative effects of PMS exposure included a progressive loss in tissue condition with necrosis and bioaccumulation of copper in coral tissues and skeletons, and death of all coral fragments by the end of the experiment. Physiological changes under PMS exposure, included increased respiration and ammonia excretion rates in corals after 13 days of exposure, indicating physiological stress and potential metabolic exhaustion. Changes in the cellular stress biomarkers and gene expression profiles were more pronounced in corals exposed to quartz particles, suggesting that the mechanical effect of particles although not causing measurable changes in the physiological functions of the coral, can still be detrimental to corals by eliciting cellular stress and immune responses. We hypothesize that the high mortality of corals recorded in the PMS treatment may have resulted from the combined and potentially synergistic mechanical and toxicological effects of the PMS particles. Given the dispersal potential of mining plumes and the highly sensitive nature of octocorals, marine protected areas, buffer areas or non-mining areas may be necessary to protect deep-sea coral communities.

Modelling the Dispersion of Seafloor Massive Sulphide Mining Plumes in the Mid Atlantic Ridge Around the Azores

Frontiers in Marine Science

Jul, 2022

3 team members are authors

OA Citations 23 DOI 10.3389/fmars.2022.910940

Authors 10.3389/fmars.2022.910940

Telmo Morato Manuela Juliano Christopher K. Pham

Marina Carreiro‐Silva

Inês Martins Ana Colaço

Abstract

A cost‐effective video system for a rapid appraisal of deep‐sea benthic habitats: The Azor drift‐cam

Methods in Ecology and Evolution

Apr, 2021

2 team members are authors

OA Citations 38 DOI 10.1111/2041-210x.13617

Authors 10.1111/2041-210x.13617

Carlos Dominguez‐Carrió Jorge Fontes

Telmo Morato

Abstract

Abstract Deep‐sea exploration relies on cutting‐edge technology, which generally requires expensive instruments, highly specialized technicians and ship time. The increasing need to gather large‐scale data on the distribution and conservation status of deep‐sea benthic species and habitats could benefit from the availability of low‐cost imaging tools to facilitate the access to the deep sea world‐wide. Here we describe the Azor drift‐cam, a cost‐effective video platform designed to conduct rapid appraisals of deep‐sea benthic habitats. Built with off‐the‐shelf components, the Azor drift‐cam should be regarded as an effective, affordable, simple‐to‐assemble, easy‐to‐operate, resilient, operational and reliable tool to visually explore the deep sea to 1,000 m depth. Its performance was assessed during the MapGES_2019 cruise, where 135 successful dives between 100 and 800 m depth were carried out in 22 working days, providing over 100 hr of images for almost 80 km of seabed, mostly in areas that had never been explored before. The system does not aim to become a substitute for more sophisticated underwater video and photography platforms, such as ROVs, AUVs or manned submersibles. Rather, it aims to provide the means to perform quick assessments of deep‐sea benthic habitats in a simple and affordable manner. This drift‐cam system has the potential to make deep‐sea exploration more accessible, playing an important role in the Deep‐Ocean Observing Strategy and measuring some of the Essential Ocean Variables for deep‐sea monitoring and conservation strategies.

Predicting the distribution and abundance of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in the deep sea of the Azores (North Atlantic)

The Science of The Total Environment

Aug, 2023

9 team members are authors

OA Citations 19 Rising DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166579

Authors 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166579

Emily M. Duncan Nina Vieira

José Manuel González‐Irusta

Carlos Dominguez‐Carrió

Telmo Morato

Marina Carreiro‐Silva Joachim Jakobsen Kirsten Jakobsen

Filipe M. Porteiro Nina Schläpfer Laura Herrera

Manuela Ramos

Yasmina Rodríguez João Pereira

Laurence Fauconnet

Luís Rodrigues Hugo Parra Christopher K. Pham

Abstract

Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), represents a significant percentage of the global plastic pollution, currently considered one of the major sources from sea-based activities. However, there is still limited understanding of the quantities of ALDFG present on the seafloor and their impacts. In this study, data on the presence of ALDFG was obtained from a large archive of seafloor video footage (351 dives) collected by different imaging platforms in the Azores region over 15 years (2006-2020). Most ALDFG items observed in the images relate to the local bottom longline fishery operating in the region, and include longlines but also anchors, weights, cables and buoys. A generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) was used to predict the distribution and abundance of ALDFG over the seafloor within the limits of the Azores Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using a suite of environmental and anthropogenic variables. We estimated an average of 113 ± 310 items km^-2 (597 ± 756 per km^-2 above 1000 m depth), which could imply that over 20 million ALDFG items are present on the deep seafloor of the Azores EEZ. The resulting model identified potential hotspots of ALDFG along the seabed, some of them located over sensitive benthic habitats, such as specific seamounts. In addition, the interactions between ALDFG and benthic organisms were also analysed. Numerous entanglements were observed with several species of large anthozoans and sponges. The use of predictive distribution modelling for ALDFG should be regarded as a useful tool to support ecosystem-based management, which can provide indirect information about fishing pressure and allow the identification of potential high-risk areas. Additional knowledge about the sources, amounts, fates and impacts of ALDFG will be key to address the global issue of plastic pollution and the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems.

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