Cape Canyon Benthic Invertebrates Tissue samples

Submarine canyons are heterogeneous environments known to support a variety of benthic organisms, and often considered biodiversity hotspots. Canyon morphological features facilitate the funneling of organic matter to the seabed, making them significant hubs of food resources for benthic life. In light of this, the DFFE: Oceans and Coasts initiative undertook the collection of benthic tissue data aimed at understanding how hydrography affects food availability for benthic species within and surrounding the Cape Canyon. This effort involved examining 15 stations, comprising six within the canyon and nine outside it, leading to the identification of six distinct trophic groups.

海底峡谷作为一种异质生态环境，众所周知其能够支持众多底栖生物的生存，并被普遍视为生物多样性热点区域。峡谷的形态特征有助于有机物质的汇聚至海底，使其成为底栖生物食物资源的重要汇聚点。鉴于此，DFFE：海洋与海岸行动计划着手收集底栖组织数据，旨在探究水文条件如何影响 Cape Canyon 及其周边底栖物种的食物可获得性。此次努力涉及了15个站点的考察，其中包括峡谷内部六个站点和外部九个站点，最终识别出六个不同的营养群。