Mapping, Modelling and Monitoring Key Processes and Controls on Cold-water Coral Habitats in Submarine Canyons (MMMonKey_Pro)
Summary
The MMMonKey_Pro programme utilises 5 dedicated researchers to carry out 4 individual but interdependent research programmes. These 4 research projects co-jointly aim to understand the spatial and temporal habitat development, thresholds and processes of a range of cold-water coral dominated habitats within the canyon. These habitats include individual coral colonies, coral gardens, coral mounds and vertical cliff faces. In a wider context, the programmes utilises and, in turn, refines a number of novel technologies and techniques including 3D photogrammetry, ROV-mounted multibeam, ROV-vibrocoring, lander systems in submarine canyons and CT-scanning of core.
Aim 1: To develop an understanding of the interaction and mutual control of submarine canyon processes and CWC habitat functioning to better inform responsible interaction with this environment, and;
Aim 2: To develop advanced methodologies to more effectively study deep-water heterogeneous dynamic biotic habitats including CWCs
Projects
Project 1 – Local to regional canyon & habitat allogenic processes
Project 2 – Temporal canyon habitat dynamics
Project 3 – Spatial canyon habitat ecological dynamics
Project 4 – Coral morphotype variation
Group Contributors
Funding
