Deep-Sea Life

Abstract

The conditions at which life below 200 m in the water column and the deep seafloor in Mexico’s Exclusive Economic Zone in three regional seas (Eastern Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and the Northern Caribbean Sea) occur are associated to the tropical and subtropical variability. The vast deep sea and its diversity provide important ecosystem services to humankind. Among the most important role of deep sea in the planet is its capacity to store CO2 and regulate the climate. Climate change is taking place, the time of emergence and development has recognized the importance of warming and the effects on carbon export to the deep-sea communities, the expansion of the extended minimum oxygen zone and acidification that may affect the deep coral species. In addition, the growing anthropogenic impacts (noise, litter, pollutants) and the unsustainable, ever deeper use of resources (fishery, mining), will affect vulnerable species and habitats. Mexico’s pioneering national and international conservation efforts of deep-sea ecosystems have considered important habitats.