Mapping, modelling and monitoring key processes and controls on cold-water coral habitats in submarine canyons (MMMonKey_Pro)

• Grant number: 17/19649-8
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Effective date (Start): February 28, 2018
• Effective date (End): July 27, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Geological Oceanography
• Principal researcher: Luis Americo Conti
• Grantee: Luis Americo Conti
• Host: Andy Wheeler
• Home Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: University College Cork (UCC), Ireland

Abstract

Submarine canyons are dynamic environments that support diverse biological communities including fisheries. Recent work on the Irish Porcupine Bank Canyon (PBC), a natural laboratory isolated from terrigenous input, has revealed extensive speciose, high biomass cold-water coral (CWC) structural habitats. This "big science" project uses Irish state-of-the-art and new innovative marine exploration and analysis technologies to explore and monitor the PBC-CWC habitats and relate to ocean-climate environmental dynamics. The project will employ ROV-based multibeam bathymetry and novel 3D photogrammetric approaches for geostatistical analysis and habitat characterization. Monitoring of canyon hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes, core and coral-morphotype analysis will reveal the process thresholds defining coral sub-habitats' limits, in space and time, and allow predictive CWC, and habitat sensitivity, models to assist marine spatial planning. By assessing the magnitude of existing anthropogenic impacts within the constraints of the sensitivity model, recommendations can be extrapolated from the data for sustainable, responsible intervention in these habitats for fisheries and hydrocarbon exploration. Likewise, process thresholds will reveal the potential impact-response from climate change facilitating knowledge-based recommendations for effective management. This project adds to Irish seabed mapping capacity, develops a critical mass to generate large consortia, building further capacity and relationships with industrial (hydrocarbon)/international partners. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE OLIVEIRA, LARISSA MACEDO CRUZ; LIM, AARON; CONTI, LUIS A.; WHEELER, ANDREW J. 3D Classification of Cold-Water Coral Reefs: A Comparison of Classification Techniques for 3D Reconstructions of Cold-Water Coral Reefs and Seabed. FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE, v. 8, MAR 22 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.

LIM, AARON; WHEELER, ANDREW J.; CONTI, LUIS. Cold-Water Coral Habitat Mapping: Trends and Developments in Acquisition and Processing Methods. GEOSCIENCES, v. 11, n. 1 JAN 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.

LIM, AARON; WHEELER, ANDREW J.; PRICE, DAVID M.; O'REILLY, LUKE; HARRIS, KIMBERLEY; CONTI, LUIS. Influence of benthic currents on cold-water coral habitats: a combined benthic monitoring and 3D photogrammetric investigation. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 10, n. 1 NOV 10 2020. Web of Science Citations: 0.

CONTI, LUIS A.; LIM, AARON; WHEELER, ANDREW J. High resolution mapping of a cold water coral mound. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 9, JAN 31 2019. Web of Science Citations: 1.