Radice, Veronica Z., Hernández-Agreda, Alejandra, Pérez-Rosales, Gonzalo, Booker, Ryan, Bellworthy, Jessica, Broadribb, Manon, Carpenter, Gaby E., Diaz, Clara, Eckert, Ryan J., Foster, Nicola L., Gijsbers, Johanna C., Gress, Erika, Laverick, Jack, Micaroni, Valerio, Pierotti, Miriam, Rouzé, Héloïse, Stevenson, Angela, Sturm, Alexis B., and Bongaerts, Pim (2024) Recent trends and biases in mesophotic ecosystem research. Biology Letters, 20. 2024.0465.

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Abstract

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.

Item ID:	84872
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1744-957X
Copyright Information:	© 2024 The Author(s). Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2025 23:38
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1802 Coastal and estuarine systems and management > 180201 Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems @ 100%
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