Chapter 7M Abyssal Plains

• • The abyss lies between 3 and 6 km water depth and covers more of the Earth’s sur- face than all other habitats combined. • The present chapter is the first in the World Ocean Assessment that is dedicated to the abyss, covering biodiversity, regional dif- ferences, biogeography, and changes and impacts as a result of natural stressors and anthropogenic activity. • Abyssal biodiversity is not well under- stood, and many gaps exist in the current understanding of abyssal evolution and biogeography, as well as the distributions, connectivity and responses of organisms to changing conditions. • Fragmentary knowledge of abyssal taxono- my is largely the result of difficulties in sam- pling the vast and remote area and, hence, limited research effort, which hinders the advancement of scientific knowledge. • Most abyssal environments support the processes that drive deep-sea and global ecosystem functioning and are linked closely to surface production and pelagic processes. • Climate change and anthropogenic impacts affect the abyss, despite its remoteness.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Deep-Sea

abyssal plains

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