"This document summarizes the results of the first Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems Workshop held in Jupiter, Florida on July 12-15, 2008. The workshop was hosted by the Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) and organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research and the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research's NOAA Undersea Research Program, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This meeting brought together researchers, managers, and nongovernmental agents active in mesophotic coral ecosystem issues to determine the current state of knowledge and establish research priorities for these ecosystems"--Title page verso.

This book summarizes what is known about mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) geographically and by major taxa. MCEs are characterized by light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths ranging from 30-40 m. and extending to over 150 m. in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. They are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes, as well as specialist species unique to mesophotic depths. During the past decade, there has been an increasing scientific and management interest in MCEs expressed by the exponential increase in the number of publications studying this unique environment. Despite their close proximity to well-studied shallow reefs, and the growing evidence of their importance, our scientific knowledge of MCEs is still in its early stages. The topics covered in the book include: regional variation in MCEs; similarities and differences between mesophotic and shallow reef taxa, biotic and abiotic conditions, biodiversity, ecology, geomorphology, and geology; potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs; MCE disturbances, conservation, and management challenges; and new technologies, key research questions/knowledge gaps, priorities, and future directions in MCE research.

NOAA Technical Memorandum CRCP 11. Identifies goals, objectives, and approaches to guide NOAA's research, management, and international cooperation activities on deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems for fiscal years 2010 through 2019. Integrates research and conservation needs and is intended to be a flexible, evolving document that allows NOAA and its partners to address new management challenges and priorities as appropriate. The primary goal of this Strategic Plan is to improve the understanding, conservation, and management of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems.

The structural complexity and geomorphic diversity of coral reefs are vital foundational characteristics responsible for the many ecological and economic benefits these ecosystems provide. Shallow-water coral reef geomorphology and structural sustainability is mostly determined by varying reef sedimentary components including: (1) sediment production (matrix) and deposition, (2) framework production and secondary carbonate accretion; (3) bioerosion; and (4) cementation. However, little is known regarding the variability and influence of these sedimentary processes in mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), deep reef communities 30-150 m below sea-level. Despite recent increases in biological and ecological MCE studies, many crucial sedimentological research questions remain unaddressed. These unaddressed questions impede a greater understanding of mesophotic reef structural sustainability and potentially related habitat heterogeneity, carbonate reef shelf development and variability in mesophotic depths, and the general origins of modern coral reef biodiversity. Critical gaps in knowledge of mesophotic coral reef geomorphology and structural sustainability were addressed in this dissertation by conducting one of the first extensive sedimentological analyses of a mesophotic coral reef ecosystem. Beyond a general exploration of MCEs, the overall research goal was to identify basic sedimentary processes integral to the development, modification, and sustainability of mesophotic coral reef structure. The goal was also to determine the variability of the identified processes at different mesophotic reef habitats and investigate how these processes and potential variability impact shelf-wide habitat heterogeneity and long-term accretion. To address these goals, sedimentary analyses and ecological surveys were conducted at mesophotic coral reef habitats with distinct structurally characteristics, and neighboring shallow-water reef counterparts in the northern U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Analyses at all reefs were designed to address four specific aims: (1) categorization and comparison of various mesophotic reef sediment and cement attributes; (2) determination of exposed consolidated substrate reef bioerosion rates, and the distribution and variability of bioeroding groups; (3) quantification and determination of primary coral mesophotic reef framework builder linear growth and calcification rate variability, and comparison to live mesophotic framework bioerosion and secondary accretion rates; and (4) application of study results for carbonate budget analysis and assessment of geomorphic carbonate production status. Sediment and cement analysis (first aim) indicated that distinct MCE habitats produce subfacies. The interpreted hydrodynamic and biological interactions controlling mesophotic USVI subfacies have implications towards paleoenvironmental interpretations of ancient mesophotic reef deposits with similar sediment and cement characteristics. Significant differences in exposed consolidated substrate bioerosional processes were discovered between the analyzed habitats. These differences were found to primarily result from variation in parrotfish biomass and related controls on substrate exposure time and location in macroboring succession. Results also broadly confirm pervious hypothesizes that bioerosion decreases with depth along a carbonate shelf and have implications leaning toward rejection of traditional reef accretion theories. Analysis of coral growth identified statistically significant differences in mesophotic coral reef calcification rates, implying another potential long-term mechanism for enhancing mesophotic reef structural heterogeneity. However, on a larger scale, linear extension rates were found to fit within previously proposed models of decreasing coral growth rate with increasing depth. Mesophotic coral reef sedimentary analyses were compared in a newly developed carbonate budget model to analyze structural sustainability and consider implications of these analyses on mesophotic reef habitat heterogeneity and Holocene carbonate shelf accretion. All USVI mesophotic habitats examined were identified with net positive carbonate production despite significant variability in geomorphic production states. Additionally, comparisons with earlier benthic surveys suggest higher net USVI mesophotic reef carbonate production in the recent past, potentially implying these deeper reefs are not fully immune to modern global stressors impacting shallow-water reefs. Results indicated that mesophotic reef accretion was not the main driver of shelf-scale topographic relief. However, mesophotic carbonate production variability substantially contributes to habitat-scale structural relief and complexity and relatedly to overall ecosystem diversity. Specific mesophotic reef sedimentology research methods and the need for similar studies at other mesophotic reef habitats were suggested. Comprehensive sedimentology analysis of mesophotic coral reefs in the USVI provide new insight into reef structural sustainability, geomorphic status, and potential impacts from global stressors, and should be considered when developing specific reef sustainability models and management strategies.

This book aims to illuminate coral reefs which comprise a symbiotic system coexisting among ecosystems, landforms, and humans at various levels and to provide a scientific basis for its reconstruction. The authors conducted an interdisciplinary project called “Coral Reef Science” from 2008 to 2012 and obtained novel results and clues to unite different disciplines for a coral reef as a key ecosystem.

Coral reefs are critical to ocean and human life because they provide food, living area, storm protection, tourism income, and more. However, human-induced stressors, such as overfishing, sediment, pollution, and habitat destruction have threatened ocean ecosystems globally for decades. In the face of climate change, these ecosystems now face an array of unfamiliar challenges due to destructive rises in ocean temperature, acidity and sea level. These factors lead to an increased frequency of bleaching events, hindered growth, and a decreasing rate of calcification. Research on interventions to combat these relatively new stressors and a reevaluation of longstanding interventions is necessary to understand and protect coral reefs in this changing climate. Previous research on these methods prompts further questions regarding the decision making process for site-specific interventions. A Decision Framework for Interventions to Increase the Persistence and Resilience of Coral Reefs builds upon a previous report that reviews the state of research on methods that have been used, tested, or proposed to increase the resilience of coral reefs. This new report aims to help coral managers evaluate the specific needs of their site and navigate the 23 different interventions described in the previous report. A case study of the Caribbean, a region with low coral population plagued by disease, serves as an example for coral intervention decision making. This report provides complex coral management decision making tools, identifies gaps in coral biology and conservation research, and provides examples to help individuals and communities tailor a decision strategy to a local area.

Coral reefs are acknowledged for the beauty of their organisms, which has made this natural ecosystem one of the most appreciated on Earth. It is believed to be the richest in terms of species diversity and species interactions, at least in theory since there is yet much documentation work to be done. Indeed, the paradox is that of the estimated one million species living in this ecosystem globally, only 10% of them have been described. To date, most of the coral reef studies have focused on the most peculiar and fabulous groups, such as corals and fishes, although most of the diversity is usually represented by small, colored, camouflaged, hidden, and crypto organisms from all kingdoms of life. The mystery of their diversity, ecology, biology, and importance in the functioning of coral reefs motivate many scientists to dive, all around the world, in order to discover, name, and appreciate such a fascinating, but unfortunately overlooked, component of nature. This book is a very nice illustration of the charm of the coral-associated fauna.