DISCOVRE (DIversity, Systematics and COnnectivity of Vulnerable Reef Ecosystems) is an integrated, multidisciplinary, international effort investigating the unique and fragile deep-sea coral environments from the microscopic level to the ecosystem level.
Meet the DISCOVRE Scientists

USGS scientists from around the nation representing multiple research programs and discipline play an integral role in the success of the DISCOVRE program.
DISCOVRE Expeditions

The DISCOVRE team is headed to sea. Follow along with current expeditions and catch up on previous cruises.
Deep-Sea Coral Resources
Check out the links below for more information on deep-sea corals.
The Deep Sea
The deep sea refers to anything below 200 m depth in the ocean; beyond this depth, little to no sunlight reaches, temperatures drop, and pressure increases. Yet, life persists. Diverse environments, such as trenches, canyons, volcanoes, and seamounts, scattered over the seafloor are home to a diversity of fishes, crustaceans, anemones, sea stars, and corals.
Deep-sea corals are as colorful and diverse as their shallow-water counterparts, however, because of the lack of sunlight, deepwater corals obtain energy by using their tentacles to capture prey rather than through photosynthesis. Deep-sea coral reefs provide food and shelter for marine life, including commercially and recreationally important species, and play a critical role in the aquatic food web.
To better understand these little explored yet vital deep-sea coral reef ecosystems, USGS scientists from around the Nation contribute their expertise to the DISCOVRE effort. The multi-disciplinary approach examines components of microbiology, population genetics, paleoecology, food webs, taxonomy, community ecology, physical oceanography, seafloor characteristics, and submarine hazards. DISCOVRE relies on a network of partners from around the country and world, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and academic institutions. Using innovative tools and technologies, USGS scientists implement a multi-faceted research program that weaves together expertise in a variety of disciplines to investigate deepwater reefs.

Benthic Ecology
Benthic ecology is the term scientists use to describe the study of the animals living in or on the bottom of a water body. As part of the DISCOVRE project, the Benthic Ecology Group conducts research to understand community structure, biodiversity, trophic structure, and habitat connectivity of marine benthic ecosystems. The work involves examining the animals living in and on the seafloor in a variety of natural and artificial marine habitats:
- deep-sea and shallow-water corals,
- chemosynthetic seeps,
- shipwrecks,
- marine canyons, and
- wetland communities.

Marine Geology and Geophysics
Geology and geophysics refer to the study of physical structure and associated processes occurring on the planet. The USGS marine geology and geophysics team maps seafloor morphology and images the shallow sub-seafloor structure of the canyons, plateaus, and other components of the deep-sea landscape to better understand the processes that form and shape these features. Sampling sediment and rocks allows scientists to ground truth geophysical and visual observations, while providing valuable information about the composition and age of these underwater geologic environments.

Microbial Ecology
Microbial ecology is the study of microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses), how they interact with each other, their host (if they are living on/in a plant or animal), and their environment.
Microbes are responsible for important ecosystem services, including biogeochemical cycling, nutrient availability, and structuring ecosystems by providing settlement cues to some invertebrates. Microbial associates have been shown to be key players in coral biology, serving functions such as fixing nitrogen, chelating iron, cycling waste products, and producing antibiotics to keep unwanted microbes from infecting the coral.
USGS identifies, characterizes, and enumerates environmental microbial communities, which are critical components of healthy marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, chemosynthetic seeps, and submarine canyons, with focus on coral microbiomes (both shallow and deep-sea), ecosystem metagenomics, and biodiversity.
Characterizing the microbial communities associated with deep-sea corals in these environments will increase the knowledge of the biodiversity in these ecosystems and provide insight into the variability or uniqueness of the corals between deep-sea environments.
Paleoclimatology
Paleoclimatology is the study of past climates using evidence found in a variety of the Earth's surfaces. USGS scientists are using long-lived black corals as archives to determine the climate and ocean chemistry over hundreds to thousands of years. Deep-sea corals are extremely useful in determining past climates, and recent developments in coral sampling techniques, as well as the ability to study corals in a wide variety of geographic areas, has increased the value of using deep-sea corals for climate change studies. Coral skeletons have rings, similar to trees, that help scientists determine environmental cycles and ocean variability.
Population Genetics
Population genetics is the study of genetic variation within and between populations. Understanding how the biodiversity of corals and other invertebrates is distributed throughout the deep-sea environment can help guide management of sensitive species, especially in areas of interest to oil and gas exploration. USGS uses genetic tools to characterize biodiversity and local and regional patterns of genetic connectivity among deep-sea coral habitats.
For more information:
CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. Ross S, Brooke S, Baird E, Coykendall E, Davies A, Demopoulos A, France S, Kellogg C, Mather R, Mienis F, Morrison C, Prouty N, Roark B, Robertson C. 2017. Exploration and Research of Mid-Atlantic Deepwater Hard Bottom Habitats and Shipwrecks with Emphasis on Canyons and Coral Communities: Atlantic Deepwater Canyons Study. Draft Report. Sterling (VA): U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Atlantic OCS Region. OCS Study BOEM 2017-060. 1,000 p. + apps.
Below are science projects associated with DISCOVRE.
Ecosystems: EXPRESS
Hazards: EXPRESS
Resources: EXPRESS
EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems
Microbial Processes on Reefs
Genetic connectivity among regional populations of red tree corals (Primnoa pacifica) in the North Pacific Ocean
Deepwater Atlantic Habitats II: Continued Atlantic Research and Exploration in Deepwater Ecosystems with Focus on Coral, Canyon, and Seep Communities. Part II: Genetic Connectivity and Oceanomic Studies
Coral Microbial Ecology
DISCOVRE - Diversity, Systematics and Connectivity of Vulnerable Reef Ecosystems Project
USGS DISCOVRE: Benthic Ecology, Trophodynamics, Ecosystem Connectivity of Mid-Atlantic Deepwater Hard Bottom Habitats with Emphasis on Canyon and Coral Communities
USGS DISCOVRE: Benthic Ecology, Trophodynamics, and Ecosystem Connectivity – Lophelia II: Continuing Ecological Research on Deep-Sea Corals and Deep Reef Habitats in the Gulf of Mexico
Below are publications associated with this project.
Molecular indicators of methane metabolisms at cold seeps along the United States Atlantic margin
Submarine canyons influence macrofaunal diversity and density patterns in the deep-sea benthos
Microbiomes of stony and soft deep-sea corals share rare core bacteria
Examination of Bathymodiolus childressi nutritional sources, isotopic niches, and food-web linkages at two seeps in the US Atlantic margin using stable isotope analysis and mixing models
Windows to the deep 2018: Exploration of the southeast US Continental margin
Stability of temperate coral Astrangia poculata microbiome is reflected across different sequencing methodologies
Molecular characterization of Bathymodiolus mussels and gill symbionts associated with chemosynthetic habitats from the U.S. Atlantic margin
Deep search: Deep sea exploration to advance research on coral/canyon/cold seep habitats
The influence of seep habitats on sediment macrofaunal biodiversity and functional traits
Comparison of microbiomes of cold-water corals Primnoa pacifica and Primnoa resedaeformis, with possible link between microbiome composition and host genotype
Macrobenthic infaunal communities associated with deep‐sea hydrocarbon seeps in the northern Gulf of Mexico
The influence of different deep-sea coral habitats on sediment macrofaunal community structure and function
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
DISCOVRE (DIversity, Systematics and COnnectivity of Vulnerable Reef Ecosystems) is an integrated, multidisciplinary, international effort investigating the unique and fragile deep-sea coral environments from the microscopic level to the ecosystem level.
Meet the DISCOVRE ScientistsUSGS scientists from around the nation representing multiple research programs and discipline play an integral role in the success of the DISCOVRE program.
DISCOVRE ExpeditionsThe DISCOVRE team is headed to sea. Follow along with current expeditions and catch up on previous cruises.
Deep-Sea Coral ResourcesCheck out the links below for more information on deep-sea corals.
The Deep Sea
The deep sea refers to anything below 200 m depth in the ocean; beyond this depth, little to no sunlight reaches, temperatures drop, and pressure increases. Yet, life persists. Diverse environments, such as trenches, canyons, volcanoes, and seamounts, scattered over the seafloor are home to a diversity of fishes, crustaceans, anemones, sea stars, and corals.
Deep-sea corals are as colorful and diverse as their shallow-water counterparts, however, because of the lack of sunlight, deepwater corals obtain energy by using their tentacles to capture prey rather than through photosynthesis. Deep-sea coral reefs provide food and shelter for marine life, including commercially and recreationally important species, and play a critical role in the aquatic food web.
To better understand these little explored yet vital deep-sea coral reef ecosystems, USGS scientists from around the Nation contribute their expertise to the DISCOVRE effort. The multi-disciplinary approach examines components of microbiology, population genetics, paleoecology, food webs, taxonomy, community ecology, physical oceanography, seafloor characteristics, and submarine hazards. DISCOVRE relies on a network of partners from around the country and world, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and academic institutions. Using innovative tools and technologies, USGS scientists implement a multi-faceted research program that weaves together expertise in a variety of disciplines to investigate deepwater reefs.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.The ROV SuBastian inserts a push core into the seafloor sediments of Astoria Canyon off the coast of Oregon. (Credit: Shelton Du Preez, Schmidt Ocean Institute) Benthic Ecology
Benthic ecology is the term scientists use to describe the study of the animals living in or on the bottom of a water body. As part of the DISCOVRE project, the Benthic Ecology Group conducts research to understand community structure, biodiversity, trophic structure, and habitat connectivity of marine benthic ecosystems. The work involves examining the animals living in and on the seafloor in a variety of natural and artificial marine habitats:
- deep-sea and shallow-water corals,
- chemosynthetic seeps,
- shipwrecks,
- marine canyons, and
- wetland communities.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.USGS geologist Jason Chaytor processes sidescan data from an AUV Sentry dive. (Image courtesy of DEEP SEARCH 2017, NOAA-OER/BOEM/USGS) Marine Geology and Geophysics
Geology and geophysics refer to the study of physical structure and associated processes occurring on the planet. The USGS marine geology and geophysics team maps seafloor morphology and images the shallow sub-seafloor structure of the canyons, plateaus, and other components of the deep-sea landscape to better understand the processes that form and shape these features. Sampling sediment and rocks allows scientists to ground truth geophysical and visual observations, while providing valuable information about the composition and age of these underwater geologic environments.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.AUV Sentry captured this image of an extensive bacterial mat (white areas). The bacteria thrive off of gases that seep up through the seafloor. Microbial Ecology
Microbial ecology is the study of microbes (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses), how they interact with each other, their host (if they are living on/in a plant or animal), and their environment.
Microbes are responsible for important ecosystem services, including biogeochemical cycling, nutrient availability, and structuring ecosystems by providing settlement cues to some invertebrates. Microbial associates have been shown to be key players in coral biology, serving functions such as fixing nitrogen, chelating iron, cycling waste products, and producing antibiotics to keep unwanted microbes from infecting the coral.
USGS identifies, characterizes, and enumerates environmental microbial communities, which are critical components of healthy marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, chemosynthetic seeps, and submarine canyons, with focus on coral microbiomes (both shallow and deep-sea), ecosystem metagenomics, and biodiversity.
Characterizing the microbial communities associated with deep-sea corals in these environments will increase the knowledge of the biodiversity in these ecosystems and provide insight into the variability or uniqueness of the corals between deep-sea environments.
Scanning Electron Microscope photograph of growth rings in black coral from the Gulf of Mexico. Paleoclimatology
Paleoclimatology is the study of past climates using evidence found in a variety of the Earth's surfaces. USGS scientists are using long-lived black corals as archives to determine the climate and ocean chemistry over hundreds to thousands of years. Deep-sea corals are extremely useful in determining past climates, and recent developments in coral sampling techniques, as well as the ability to study corals in a wide variety of geographic areas, has increased the value of using deep-sea corals for climate change studies. Coral skeletons have rings, similar to trees, that help scientists determine environmental cycles and ocean variability.
Lophelia pertusa coral Population Genetics
Population genetics is the study of genetic variation within and between populations. Understanding how the biodiversity of corals and other invertebrates is distributed throughout the deep-sea environment can help guide management of sensitive species, especially in areas of interest to oil and gas exploration. USGS uses genetic tools to characterize biodiversity and local and regional patterns of genetic connectivity among deep-sea coral habitats.
For more information:
CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. Ross S, Brooke S, Baird E, Coykendall E, Davies A, Demopoulos A, France S, Kellogg C, Mather R, Mienis F, Morrison C, Prouty N, Roark B, Robertson C. 2017. Exploration and Research of Mid-Atlantic Deepwater Hard Bottom Habitats and Shipwrecks with Emphasis on Canyons and Coral Communities: Atlantic Deepwater Canyons Study. Draft Report. Sterling (VA): U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Atlantic OCS Region. OCS Study BOEM 2017-060. 1,000 p. + apps.
- Science
Below are science projects associated with DISCOVRE.
Ecosystems: EXPRESS
The continental shelf and slope offshore California, Oregon, and Washington are home to deep-sea corals, chemosynthetic communities, and other sensitive habitats that could be impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. The EXPRESS (Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems) campaign will map and characterize these special areas to help guide ocean management...Hazards: EXPRESS
Marine geohazards including earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis lie offshore of densely populated areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. One goal of EXPRESS is to improve assessments of these hazards.Resources: EXPRESS
Along the U.S. west coast, the Pacific Ocean, ocean floor, and winds above contain potentially vast energy and mineral resources. Developing these resources safely and wisely requires detailed information for each area of interest. One goal of EXPRESS is to inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions.EXPRESS: Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems
EXPRESS is a multi-year, multi-institution cooperative research campaign in deep sea areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, including the continental shelf and slope. EXPRESS data and information are intended to guide wise use of living marine resources and habitats, inform ocean energy and mineral resource decisions, and improve offshore hazard assessments.Microbial Processes on Reefs
The microbial community on coral reefs is generally underappreciated given the ubiquity, abundance, complexity, and formative role these prokaryotes serve in the metabolic and chemical processes on reefs. We use microbiological and metagenomic techniques to decipher the roles the microbial community are playing in processes such as coral disease, submarine groundwater discharge, calcification, and...Genetic connectivity among regional populations of red tree corals (Primnoa pacifica) in the North Pacific Ocean
Knowledge of the degree to which populations are connected through larval dispersal is imperative to effective management, yet little is known about larval dispersal capability or population connectivity in Primnoa pacifica, an important habitat forming octocoral on the outer continental shelf and upper slope in the Gulf of Alaska.Deepwater Atlantic Habitats II: Continued Atlantic Research and Exploration in Deepwater Ecosystems with Focus on Coral, Canyon, and Seep Communities. Part II: Genetic Connectivity and Oceanomic Studies
This study utilizes genetics and genomics techniques to characterize biodiversity and genetic connectivity among deep-sea coral habitats and cold seeps in and near submarine canyons and will use environmental DNA techniques to characterize plankton diversity and to identify key contributors to carbon export from surface waters that sustain sensitive benthic communities. The proposed genetics and...Coral Microbial Ecology
The coral microbial ecology group has an active research program identifying and characterizing the microbial associates of both tropical and cold-water (deep-sea) corals and their surrounding habitat. Current projects focus on coral disease dynamics, bacterial diversity, and using metagenomics to elucidate the functional roles of coral microbes.DISCOVRE - Diversity, Systematics and Connectivity of Vulnerable Reef Ecosystems Project
This project uses amplicon sequencing, and functional microarrays to examine the microbiomes of several deep-sea coral species, with priority given to species that are also of interest to the population genetics group: Desmophyllum dianthus, Lophelia pertusa, Enallopsammia sp., and Acanthogorgia sp. The project also uses metagenomics to survey benthic habitats including coral mounds, cold seeps...USGS DISCOVRE: Benthic Ecology, Trophodynamics, Ecosystem Connectivity of Mid-Atlantic Deepwater Hard Bottom Habitats with Emphasis on Canyon and Coral Communities
Deep-sea canyons are complex environments encompassing a range of benthic habitats, including soft sediments along the axis of the canyon, and hard substrates along the canyon walls.USGS DISCOVRE: Benthic Ecology, Trophodynamics, and Ecosystem Connectivity – Lophelia II: Continuing Ecological Research on Deep-Sea Corals and Deep Reef Habitats in the Gulf of Mexico
Deep-sea coral habitats are complex ecosystems at the landscape and local level. While these systems may harbor substantial levels of biodiversity, they remain inadequately investigated. - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 83Molecular indicators of methane metabolisms at cold seeps along the United States Atlantic margin
A lipid biomarker study was undertaken to determine the microbial composition and variability in authigenic carbonates and associated soft bottom habitats from the Norfolk and the Baltimore Canyon seep fields along the US mid-Atlantic margin. Results from this study capture a distinct molecular signal from methane oxidizing archaea, including archaeol (I), sn-2-hydroxyarchaeol, pentamethylicosaneSubmarine canyons influence macrofaunal diversity and density patterns in the deep-sea benthos
Submarine canyons are often morphologically complex features in the deep sea contributing to habitat heterogeneity. In addition, they act as major conduits of organic matter from the shallow productive shelf to the food deprived deep-sea, promoting gradients in food resources and areas of sediment resuspension and deposition. This study focuses on the Baltimore and Norfolk canyons, in the westernMicrobiomes of stony and soft deep-sea corals share rare core bacteria
Background: Numerous studies have shown that bacteria form stable associations with host corals and have focused on identifying conserved “core microbiomes” of bacterial associates inferred to be serving key roles in the coral holobiont. Because studies tend to focus on only stony corals (order Scleractinia) or soft corals (order Alcyonacea), it is currently unknown if there are conserved bacteriaExamination of Bathymodiolus childressi nutritional sources, isotopic niches, and food-web linkages at two seeps in the US Atlantic margin using stable isotope analysis and mixing models
Chemosynthetic environments support distinct benthic communities capable of utilizing reduced chemical compounds for nutrition. Hundreds of methane seeps have been documented along the U.S. Atlantic margin (USAM), and detailed investigations at a few seeps have revealed distinct environments containing mussels, microbial mats, authigenic carbonates, and soft sediments. The dominant mussel, BathymoWindows to the deep 2018: Exploration of the southeast US Continental margin
Windows to the Deep 2018: Exploration of the Southeast US Continental Margin was a 36-day expedition aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to acquire data on priority exploration areas identified by the ocean management and scientific communities. This expedition involved high-resolution multibeam sonar mapping and ROV dives, ranging from 340 m to 3,400 m depth, across the southeast US continental marStability of temperate coral Astrangia poculata microbiome is reflected across different sequencing methodologies
The microbiome of the temperate coral Astrangia poculata was first described in 2017 using next-generation Illumina sequencing to examine the coral’s bacterial and archaeal associates across seasons and among hosts of differing symbiotic status. To assess the impact of methodology on the detectable diversity of the coral’s microbiome, we obtained near full-length Sanger sequences from clone librarMolecular characterization of Bathymodiolus mussels and gill symbionts associated with chemosynthetic habitats from the U.S. Atlantic margin
Mussels of the genus Bathymodiolus are among the most widespread colonizers of hydrothermal vent and cold seep environments, sustained by endosymbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria. Presumed species of Bathymodiolus are abundant at newly discovered cold seeps on the Mid-Atlantic continental slope, however morphological taxonomy is challenging, and their phylogenetic affinities remain unestablishedDeep search: Deep sea exploration to advance research on coral/canyon/cold seep habitats
Led by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and OER is an interagency partnership to explore and characterize sensitive deepwater habitats of the U.S. mid- and south Atlantic deep-sea habitats. Sponsored by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, the study has brought together scientists from six U.S. academic institutions and five USGSThe influence of seep habitats on sediment macrofaunal biodiversity and functional traits
Chemosynthetic ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) support dense communities of seep megafaunal invertebrates that rely on endosymbiotic bacteria for nutrition. Distinct infaunal communities are associated with the biogenic habitats created by seep biota, where habitat heterogeneity and sediment geochemistry influence local macrofaunal community structure. Here we examine the community structurComparison of microbiomes of cold-water corals Primnoa pacifica and Primnoa resedaeformis, with possible link between microbiome composition and host genotype
Cold-water corals provide critical habitats for a multitude of marine species, but are understudied relative to tropical corals. Primnoa pacifica is a cold-water coral prevalent throughout Alaskan waters, while another species in the genus, Primnoa resedaeformis, is widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean. This study examined the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene after amplifying and pyrosequenciMacrobenthic infaunal communities associated with deep‐sea hydrocarbon seeps in the northern Gulf of Mexico
There are thousands of seeps in the deep ocean worldwide; however, many questions remain about their contributions to global biodiversity and the surrounding deep‐sea environment. In addition to being globally distributed, seeps provide several benefits to humans such as unique habitats, organisms with novel genes, and carbon regulation. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there areThe influence of different deep-sea coral habitats on sediment macrofaunal community structure and function
Deep-sea corals can create a highly complex, three-dimensional structure that facilitates sediment accumulation and influences adjacent sediment environments through altered hydrodynamic regimes. Infaunal communities adjacent to different coral types, including reef-building scleractinian corals and individual colonies of octocorals, are known to exhibit higher macrofaunal densities and distinct c - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 28 - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.