Using deep-sea images to examine ecosystem services associated with methane seeps

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Deep-Sea Ecology
• Ecosystem Services Assessment

Background:

• Deep-sea images from expeditions are underutilized resources.
• Characterizing ecosystem services from visual data is an emerging field.
• Methane seeps are unique deep-sea environments with distinct ecological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a method for characterizing ecosystem services using deep-sea imagery.
• To assess fisheries and carbon-regulating services at three southern California methane seeps.
• To compare ecosystem service provision among different seep sites.

Main Methods:

• Adapted biological trait analysis on remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) dive videos.
• Qualitative assessment of fisheries and carbon services at Point Dume, Palos Verdes, and Del Mar methane seeps.
• Utilized Hercules ROV data from E/V Nautilus.

Main Results:

• Methane seep activity influences ecosystem services differently across sites.
• The Del Mar seep site shows the highest relative contributions to fisheries and carbon services.
• Site-specific comparisons reveal variations in ecosystem service potential.

Conclusions:

• Deep-sea image analysis is a viable first step for ecosystem services characterization.
• Findings provide foundational data for prioritizing deep-sea research and management.
• Identifying sources of ecosystem services is crucial for conservation efforts.