Spatial scaling of benthic biodiversity in an abyssal deep-sea mining province: ecological and genomic approaches

Abyssal ecosystems are the largest yet most poorly understood ecosystems on the planet. Since pioneering studies of abyssal benthic biodiversity carried out in the 1970s, we have known that they harbor a surprisingly high level of local diversity relative to abundance (Hessler & Jumars, 1974). Owing to the highly difficult nature of sampling in this remote system, they are very rarely studied with extensive replicated sampling appropriate to studies of spatial scaling (local diversity, species turnover, connectivity). We have a unique opportunity to do this through a set of high-quality box core samples taken in 2024 on the JC257 SMARTEX cruise (Glover et al 2024) in the eastern Pacific abyss, in a region called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). 

The main goals of the project will be to:

1. identify the fauna in the samples using a high-throughput genomic approach (Oxford Nanopore Technology ground-truthed with traditional methods) using the NHM Deep-Sea Research Group reference library of known species
2. conduct a high-impact analysis of the spatial scaling of biodiversity over scales of 1-10-100km in the abyss
3. study genetic connectivity across the region with a view to long-term conservation and management
4. conduct taxonomic and life-history studies of select fauna using the latest genomic and integrative approaches. 

The work will be collaborative between NHM, NOC, UoS, Gothenburg which are all leading centres for work on abyssal ecosystems as well as CASE Partner UK Seabed Resources Ltd. 

We will also work closely with the forthcoming JPI-Oceans project which will provide opportunities for research cruises in the CCZ region during the period 2026-2029.  

You will also be supervised by organisations other than the University of Southampton, including Adrian Glover, Daniel Jones, Belen Arias from the Natural History Museum, and Thomas Dahlgren.