Linking Biodiversity Above and Below the Marine Sediment–Water Interface

Abstract

C hanges in the marine environment are evident on a global scale Not only have major changes occurred but the rate of alteration of marine ecosystems appears to be accelerating (e.g., Unfortunately, the impact of these changes in biodiversity on the basic functioning of marine ecosystems remains uncertain, as does the oceans' capacity to withstand multiple human disturbances The dynamics of many marine ecosystems, as well as of important fisheries, depend on close coupling between benthic (bottom living) and pelagic (water column) organisms (Steele 1974). Our knowledge of the natural history of these systems remains limited, and scientific interest in mapping the diversity of organisms and how they live has been marginalized in recent years. Given the expanding sphere of human influence on the oceans, it is imperative to understand not only patterns of biodiversity and the extent to which changes in biodiversity are occurring but also how changes in the benthic and pelagic realms might affect each other. The oceans provide many important ecosystem services, including production of food, stabilization of shorelines, trapping and removal of excess nutrients and pollutants, and cycling of nutrients and organic matter. How does biodiversity above and below the sediment-water interface influence these services, and will biodiversity loss on one side of the interface impact the services provided by the other?