Ecological variables for deep-ocean monitoring must include microbiota and meiofauna for effective conservation

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Ingels, Jeroen | Vanreusel, Ann | Pape, Ellen | Pasotti, Francesca | Macheriotou, Lara | Arbizu, Pedro, Martínez | Sørensen, Martin Vinther | Edgcomb, Virginia | Sharma, Jyotsna | Sánchez, Nuria | Homoky, William B. | Woulds, Clare | Leduc, Daniel | Gooday, Andrew J. | Pawlowski, Jan | Dolan, John R. | Schratzberger, Michaela | Gollner, Sabine | Schoenle, Alexandra | Arndt, Hartmut | Zeppilli, Daniela

Edité par CCSD ; Nature -

International audience. Recently, Danovaro et al. [1] prioritized deep-sea essential ecological variables (DEEVs), based on opinions from 112 deep-sea experts worldwide, to support development of a global deep-ocean monitoring and conservation strategy. While a set of universally important DEEVs is necessary to ensure appropriate monitoring, we challenge the conclusion that macro-and megafauna should be prioritized over microscopic organisms, notably eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes, and meiofauna. Status assessments of deep-sea habitats, and indeed any habitat, need to capture the most ecologically significant aspects, given current scientific understanding and existing methodologies. Danovaro et al.'s [1] claim that there is consensus among experts that deep-ocean monitoring should prioritize large organisms (macro-and megafauna) is partly a result of skewed expertise among survey respondents, 55% of whom were macrofauna and megafauna experts. With the addition of expertise in fish and large vertebrates, the proportion of large-animal specialists increases to approximately 75% of respondents [1], leaving small, yet crucial, organisms, and associated processes, chronically underrepresented.

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