Award: OCE-1029841

Project Outcomes Report for NSF/Bio/Oce 1029841 Collaborative Research: Connectivity in western Atlantic seep populations: Oceanographic and life-history processes underlying genetic structure For this project, we assembled an interdisciplinary team to answer questions regarding how isolated populations of relatively unexplored, deep-sea chemosynthetic organisms are connected via their dispersing larval phases in space and time. The direction and strength of larval connectivity from one population to another is key to replenishing populations and determining their resilience to natural and human-induced disturbance. This study used state-of-the-art deep sea research tools, such as the Deep Sea Submersible Alvin, and the Remotely Operated Vehicle Jason, to explore methane seep ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and U.S East Coast. The location from which larvae are spawned, the duration of the larval phase in the water column, and the depth at which larvae dispersed were all significant drivers of how well populations of certain species were connected in space and time. For example, certain deep-sea species spawned in the western portion of the Gulf of Mexico could reach and settle in similar deep sea habitats off the coast of New England. Intellectual Merit. Since their discovery, deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems have been novel systems within which to test the generality of biological and ecological paradigms developed for shallow-water species. This study allowed us to explore scale-dependent biodiversity and recruitment dynamics in deep-sea seep communities, and identify key factors underlying population persistence and maintenance of biodiversity in these patchy systems. Building capacity (knowledge and expertise) in studying spatial and temporal scales of population connectivity, and the oceanographic and life-history processes that underlie genetic subdivision in the deep sea is critical in light of emergent policy regimes in both Exclusive Economic Zones and on the High Seas related to marine spatial planning. Broader Impacts. Results of this research have been broadly disseminated to advance scientific understanding through peer-reviewed publications and presentation to both scientific and general public audiences. This study supported training of four PhD students that combined high-level biology, mathematics and computer science in their projects, and has led to the generation of six unique data sets on deep-sea physical ocean characteristics that are available to the public. Results of this work can be used to inform policy makers engaged in discussion of offshore oil and gas exploration, as well as the design of deep-sea networks of marine reserves. Last Modified: 04/05/2018 Submitted by: David B Eggleston