Quantifying the sphere of influence: ecology and trophic dynamics of methane seep communities along the Pacific Costa Rican Margin

Abstract

Chemosynthetic ecosystems in the deep sea hold vast amounts of untapped energy that until recent decades have been largely unobtainable. With the growing demand for resources and constant advancements in technology, these ecosystems and the diverse communities that inhabit them now face increasing pressure from anthropogenic exploitation activities. Thus, employing effective management and conservation strategies to avoid devastating these long-lived communities is imperative. However, effective protection hinges on a thorough understanding of these ecosystems. Here, I present a number of studies conducted on methane seeps along the Pacific Costa Rican Margin (CRM), exploring various ecological dynamics and highlighting the unique biodiversity thriving there. These studies aim to address gaps in our knowledge regarding the “sphere of influence” surrounding chemosynthetic methane seeps, providing insights into the flow of energy within these ecosystems, their spatial dynamics and how they interact with background deep-sea habitats. In Chapter 2, I employ a novel seascape approach using systematic surveys of several actively seeping areas to characterize the seep communities and delineate distinct seep zones, testing for inter- and intraspecific differences in community structure. Our results reveal nuanced patterns in α and β diversity between sites and across different zones, driven largely by depth. Additionally, I identify transitional zones extending the spatial extent of the seeps by up to 300 meters, emphasizing the “sphere of influence” surrounding these ecosystems.