Mesophotic coral ecosystems: understanding the reef's hidden biodiversity

本项目旨在评估中深水生物多样性，并评估这些深水生态系统对干扰和环境变化的脆弱性。中孔珊瑚生态系统（生活在大约30-100米深的地方）的面积估计相当于大堡礁的浅层珊瑚礁（2万平方公里），但由于它们相对难以接近，大部分仍未被记录下来，也未被纳入保护规划。该项目旨在描述中生珊瑚礁的内在价值（即独特的生物多样性）和工具价值（即在浅层珊瑚礁恢复中的作用）。预期的项目成果可能有助于制定有效的生态系统特定管理策略。

This project aims to assess biodiversity at mesophotic depths and evaluate the vulnerability of these deep-water ecosystems to disturbances and environmental change. Mesophotic coral ecosystems (which live at around 30–100 metres in depth) represent an estimated surface area equivalent to that of shallow coral reefs on the Great Barrier Reef (20 000 square kilometres) yet remain largely undocumented (due to their relative inaccessibility) and are not considered in conservation planning. The project aims to characterise the intrinsic (i.e. unique biodiversity) and instrumental (i.e. role in shallow reef recovery) values of mesophotic coral reefs. Expected project outcomes may help develop an effective ecosystem-specific management strategy.