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Why is there low biodiversity in hydrothermal vents? 

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The results suggest that both temporal variation in recruitment and post-settlement biological interactions are important in structuring communities at hydrothermal vents.
When compared with deep-sea locations, photosynthetic microorganisms appear to be the main characteristic of shallow hydrothermal vents, where both light and hydrothermal energy support a complex microbial community displaying primary productivity (phototrophic and chemotrophic) of mixed origin.
This suggests that hydrothermal fluids have a strong impact on air quality in the immediate surroundings of the fumarolic vents.
Here we provide the first systematic assessment of biodiversity at hydrothermal vents normalized against research effort.
Evidence for the presence of high-temperature hydrothermal vents is scarce and restricted to a massive sulphide deposit near the top of the succession.
Hydrothermal activity indeed shifts along the ridges, generating numerous short-lived spots and consequently forcing the endemic fauna to colonize new vents as they appear.
Open accessJournal ArticleDOI
Elisabetta Menini, Cindy Lee Van Dover 
01 Oct 2019-Marine Policy
16 Citations
This atlas summarizes the “who”, “what”, “when”, “where” of protected hydrothermal vents worldwide and underscores recognition of the importance of hydrothermal-vent ecosystems by coastal States.
In contrast, physical processes probably play a prominent role in the rapid species turnovers observed at hydrothermal vents.
The fauna colonizing the vents are distinct, at least at a species level, from those found at other hydrothermal sites on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The ecosystem principles presented here emphasize a more holistic concept of value that will be important to consider as regulations are developed for the exploitation of minerals associated with deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

Related Questions

What's the relevance of microbial diversity and biogeography in hydrothermal vents?5 answersMicrobial diversity and biogeography in hydrothermal vents are highly relevant in understanding the ecological roles and biogeochemical processes in these environments. The microbial communities in hydrothermal vents exhibit rich taxonomic diversity, including bacteria, archaea, and microbial eukaryotes. These communities play critical roles in the vent-associated microbial food web and the broader deep-sea carbon cycle. The diversity patterns of protistan assemblages in hydrothermal vents are influenced by the vent field, sample type, and vent fluid geochemistry. Additionally, the microbial communities in hydrothermal vents are involved in important metabolic processes such as sulfur oxidation, iron oxidation, carbon fixation, and hydrogen cycling. The genomic diversity of these microorganisms provides insights into their physiological potential and adaptation to the hydrothermal vent environment. Comparative biodiversity studies in hydrothermal vents help establish patterns of shared phylogenetic diversity and physiological ecology, contributing to the understanding of microbial biogeography in these unique ecosystems.
Has Fervidobacteriaceae family reported in hydrothermal vents?5 answersStep 1: Fervidobacteriaceae family has been reported in deep-sea hydrothermal vent deposits, with the discovery of novel bacterial isolates representing the family. The study also documents the potential implications of this genomic diversity in biogeochemical cycles, highlighting the metabolic adaptation of taxonomic guilds within the Fervidobacteriaceae family. Step 2: - "Context_5" - "Context_3" Step 3: "Fervidobacteriaceae family has been reported in deep-sea hydrothermal vent deposits, with the discovery of novel bacterial isolates representing the family. The study also documents the potential implications of this genomic diversity in biogeochemical cycles, highlighting the metabolic adaptation of taxonomic guilds within the Fervidobacteriaceae family."
What is the connection between hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor and life on earth?4 answersHydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are crucial for life on Earth, as they support highly productive communities of specially-adapted fauna. These vents have significantly different physicochemical factors during active and inactive periods, influencing the structure of microbial communities. The history of hydrothermal vents is intertwined with that of life on Earth, with evidence suggesting that they have been exploited by microbes since the Precambrian, and were colonized by various animal taxa during different geological periods. The discovery of hydrothermal vents and their inhabitants has significantly expanded our knowledge of life deep in the Earth’s crust and has implications for understanding the origins of life on Earth and potentially on other planets.
What is the main source of the high productivity in the hydrothermal vent communities?5 answersThe main source of high productivity in hydrothermal vent communities is the mixing of reduced volcanic fluid with oxidized fluids, which generates additional niche space capable of supporting increasingly biodiverse communities that are more productive. Additionally, hydrothermal activity enhances functional diversity, allowing several species to coexist in high densities in the highly productive vent habitats under direct fluid emissions. Furthermore, hydrothermal activity in ancient marine basins provides a locally high flux of recycled nitrogen, which can maintain a large biosphere on anoxic worlds. The presence of chemolithoautotrophic bacteria and archaea that generate energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds also contributes to the high productivity in hydrothermal vent communities.
Where was the hydrothermal vent system located?4 answersThe hydrothermal vent systems mentioned in the abstracts are located in various regions. The Strýtan Hydrothermal Field (SHF) is located in Eyjafördur in northern Iceland. Seafloor hydrothermal vent fields (SHVFs) are found in the mid-ocean ridge (MOR), backarc basin (BAB), island arc, and hot-spot environments. Lost City is located on the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Shallow-sea hydrothermal systems were studied in Paleochori Bay, Milos Island, Greece. The Indian Ocean hydrothermal vent sites are located along the Central Indian Ridge (CIR).
Where is the most biodiversity in the ocean?5 answers

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