DISCOVRE: Diversity, Systematics and Connectivity of Vulnerable Reef Ecosystems Active
June is Oceans Month!
USGS is paving the way for exploration and scientific discovery in the largest ecosystem on our planet: the deep sea.
DEEP SEARCH: The Final Leg
USGS scientists mapped and collected data from deep-sea environments off the U.S. Southeastern coast
Deep-Sea EXPRESS
USGS scientists join multi-agency expedition to study deep-sea reefs and associated habitats off the U.S. West Coast
Deep Sea Discovery
USGS joins partners in discovery of 85-mile-long coral reef off the coast of South Carolina
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.
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.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Ectoparasitism on deep-sea fishes in the western North Atlantic: In situ observations from ROV surveys
Growth rates and ages of deep-sea corals impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Insights into methane dynamics from analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at newly-discovered Atlantic Margin seeps
Hydrothermal vents and methane seeps: Rethinking the sphere of influence
Macrofaunal communities associated with chemosynthetic habitats from the U.S. Atlantic margin: A comparison among depth and habitat types
10,000 m under the sea: An overview of the HADES expedition to Kermadec Trench
Coral-associated bacterial diversity is conserved across two deep-sea Anthothela species
Assessment of canyon wall failure process from multibeam bathymetry and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) observations, U.S. Atlantic continental margin
ECOGIG: Oil spill effects on deep-sea corals through the lenses of natural hydrocarbon seeps and long time series
Low incidence of clonality in cold water corals revealed through the novel use of standardized protocol adapted to deep sea sampling
Impact of Deepwater Horizon Spill on food supply to deep-sea benthos communities
Exploration of the canyon-incised continental margin of the northeastern United States reveals dynamic habitats and diverse communities
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.
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.
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.
- Science
Below are science projects associated with DISCOVRE.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 103Ectoparasitism on deep-sea fishes in the western North Atlantic: In situ observations from ROV surveys
A complete understanding of how parasites influence marine ecosystem functioning requires characterizing a broad range of parasite-host interactions while determining the effects of parasitism in a variety of habitats. In deep-sea fishes, the prevalence of parasitism remains poorly understood. Knowledge of ectoparasitism, in particular, is limited because collection methods often cause dislodgmentAuthorsAndrea Quattrini, Amanda W.J. DemopoulosGrowth rates and ages of deep-sea corals impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The impact of the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill on deep-sea coral communities in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is still under investigation, as is the potential for these communities to recover. Impacts from the spill include observation of corals covered with flocculent material, with bare skeleton, excessive mucous production, sloughing tissue, and subsequent colonization of damaged areasAuthorsNancy G. Prouty, Charles R. Fisher, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Ellen R. M. DruffelInsights into methane dynamics from analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at newly-discovered Atlantic Margin seeps
The recent discovery of active methane venting along the US northern and mid-Atlantic margin represents a new source of global methane not previously accounted for in carbon budgets from this region. However, uncertainty remains as to the origin and history of methane seepage along this tectonically inactive passive margin. Here we present the first isotopic analyses of authigenic carbonates and mAuthorsNancy G. Prouty, Diana Sahy, Carolyn D. Ruppel, E. Brendan Roark, Dan Condon, Sandra Brooke, Steve W. Ross, Amanda W.J. DemopoulosHydrothermal vents and methane seeps: Rethinking the sphere of influence
Although initially viewed as oases within a barren deep ocean, hydrothermal vent and methane seep communities are now recognized to interact with surrounding ecosystems on the sea floor and in the water column, and to affect global geochemical cycles. The importance of understanding these interactions is growing as the potential rises for disturbance from oil and gas extraction, seabed mining andAuthorsLisa A. Levin, Amy Baco, David Bowden, Ana Colaco, Erik E. Cordes, Marina Cunha, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Judith Gobin, Ben Grupe, Jennifer Le, Anna Metaxas, Amanda Netburn, Greg Rouse, Andrew Thurber, Verena Tunnicliffe, Cindy L. Van Dover, Ann Vanreusel, Les WatlingMacrofaunal communities associated with chemosynthetic habitats from the U.S. Atlantic margin: A comparison among depth and habitat types
Hydrocarbon seeps support distinct benthic communities capable of tolerating extreme environmental conditions and utilizing reduced chemical compounds for nutrition. In recent years, several locations of methane seepage have been mapped along the U.S. Atlantic continental slope. In 2012 and 2013, two newly discovered seeps were investigated in this region: a shallow site near Baltimore Canyon (BCSAuthorsJill R. Bourque, Craig M. Robertson, Sandra Brooke, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos10,000 m under the sea: An overview of the HADES expedition to Kermadec Trench
The hadal zone of the world oceans (6000– 11,000 m) occupies <1% of the marine realm and is found almost exclusively in trenches but represents ~40% of the total ocean depth range. Jamison et al. (2010 & Jamison, 2015) have reviewed the current state of knowledge about the hydrology, physical characteristics, food supply, ecology and biodiversity of life in hadal trenches. This review concluded thAuthorsS. Mills, D. Leduc, J.C. Drazen, P. Yancey, A.J. Jamieson, M.R. Clark, A.A. Rowden, D.J. Mayor, S. Piertney, T. Heyl, D. Bartlett, Jill R. Bourque, W. Cho, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, P. Fryer, M. Gerringer, E. Grammatopoulou, S. Herrera, M. Ichino, B. Lecroq, T.D. Linley, K. Meyer, C. Nunnally, H. Ruhl, G. Wallace, C. Young, T.M. ShankCoral-associated bacterial diversity is conserved across two deep-sea Anthothela species
Cold-water corals, similar to tropical corals, contain diverse and complex microbial assemblages. These bacteria provide essential biological functions within coral holobionts, facilitating increased nutrient utilization and production of antimicrobial compounds. To date, few cold-water octocoral species have been analyzed to explore the diversity and abundance of their microbial associates. For tAuthorsStephanie N. Lawler, Christina A. Kellogg, Scott C France, Rachel W Clostio, Sandra D. Brooke, Steve W. RossAssessment of canyon wall failure process from multibeam bathymetry and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) observations, U.S. Atlantic continental margin
Over the last few years, canyons along the northern U.S. Atlantic continental margin have been the focus of intensive research examining canyon evolution, submarine geohazards, benthic ecology and deep-sea coral habitat. New high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dives in the major shelf-breaching and minor slope canyons, provided the opportunity to investigate thAuthorsJason D. Chaytor, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Uri S. ten Brink, Christopher D. P. Baxter, Andrea M. Quattrini, Daniel S. BrothersECOGIG: Oil spill effects on deep-sea corals through the lenses of natural hydrocarbon seeps and long time series
The 2015 Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf (ECOGIG) expedition was a continuation of a three-year partnership between our Gulf of Mexico Research Institute-funded research consortium and the Ocean Exploration Trust to study the effects of oil and dispersant on corals and closely related communities affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill (White et al., 2012, 2014; HsingAuthorsErik E. Cordes, Steven Auscavitch, Iliana B. Baums, Charles R. Fisher, Fanny Girard, Carlos Gomez, Jennifer P. McClain-Counts, Howard P. Mendlovitz, Miles Saunders, Styles Smith, Samuel Vohsen, Alaina WeinheimerLow incidence of clonality in cold water corals revealed through the novel use of standardized protocol adapted to deep sea sampling
Sampling in the deep sea is a technical challenge, which has hindered the acquisition of robust datasets that are necessary to determine the fine-grained biological patterns and processes that may shape genetic diversity. Estimates of the extent of clonality in deep-sea species, despite the importance of clonality in shaping the local dynamics and evolutionary trajectories, have been largely obscuAuthorsRonan Becheler, Anne-Laure Cassone, Philippe Noel, Olivier Mouchel, Cheryl L. Morrison, Sophie Arnaud-HaondImpact of Deepwater Horizon Spill on food supply to deep-sea benthos communities
Deep-sea ecosystems encompass unique and often fragile communities that are sensitive to a variety of anthropogenic and natural impacts. After the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, sampling efforts documented the acute impact of the spill on some deep-sea coral colonies. To investigate the impact of the DWH spill on quality and quantity of biomass delivered to the deep-sea, a suite of geocheAuthorsNancy G. Prouty, Pamela Swarzenski, Furu Mienis, Gerald Duineveld, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Steve W. Ross, Sandra BrookeExploration of the canyon-incised continental margin of the northeastern United States reveals dynamic habitats and diverse communities
The continental margin off the northeastern United States (NEUS) contains numerous, topographically complex features that increase habitat heterogeneity across the region. However, the majority of these rugged features have never been surveyed, particularly using direct observations. During summer 2013, 31 Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) dives were conducted from 494 to 3271 m depth across a varieAuthorsAndrea Quattrini, Martha S. Nizinski, Jason Chaytor, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, E. Brendan Roark, Scott France, Jon A. Moore, Taylor P. Heyl, Peter J. Auster, Carolyn D. Ruppel, Kelley P. Elliott, Brian R. C. Kennedy, Elizabeth A. Lobecker, Adam Skarke, Timothy M. Shank - Web Tools
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 40 - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.