BIO

First year from Plymouth, MA on the Pre-PA track, involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma, Best Buddies, and Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society here at FSU.

Characterization of Deep-Sea Habitat Distribution on Two Seamounts of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument​

Abstract

The Northwest Pacific Ocean has been affected by global warming and human activity. It is also one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world hosting tens of thousands of marine species (Liao et al. 2018). The oceans are mostly made up of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which are key in biodiversity that is not possessed by States. Many ABNJ areas have deteriorated due to the lack of regulations on human activities (IUCN. 2023). Trawling in the Hawaiian Ridge and Emperor Seamount Chain in past years has led to near-total devastation of the benthic communities on parts of the underwater mountain range. Near entire ecosystems were depleted of corals and suffered as a consequence. Over years of protection, however, signs of life have begun to return despite their slow growth. It’s been shown that over a 30-40 year period, measurable, but not total, recovery is possible (Baco et al 2019). ​

Keywords: corals, seamounts, substrate