Oceanographic Drivers of Deep-Sea Coral Species Distribution and Community Assembly on Seamounts, Islands, Atolls, and Reefs Within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area

Deep-sea coral communities in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) are shaped by oceanographic factors, with seamounts hosting more diverse and abundant species compared to islands, atolls, and reefs. This pattern is driven by stronger currents and nutrient upwelling on seamounts, which enhance coral growth and recruitment. The study used submersible surveys and genetic analyses to map coral distributions across 19 sites, revealing that depth, substrate type, and oceanographic conditions are key determinants of community assembly. These findings highlight the importance of seamounts as biodiversity hotspots and underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies in PIPA.

Auscavitch, S. R., Deere, M. C., Keller, A. G., Rotjan, R. D., Shank, T. M., & Cordes, E. E. (2020). Oceanographic Drivers of Deep-Sea Coral Species Distribution and Community Assembly on Seamounts, Islands, Atolls, and Reefs Within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00042