The “biological pump” is the process by which photosynthetically-produced organic matter in
the ocean descends from the surface layer to depth by a combination of sinking particles …

The deep sea (> 200 m depth) encompasses> 95% of the world's ocean volume and
represents the largest and least explored biome on Earth (< 0.0001% of ocean surface), yet …

Human activities are fundamentally altering biodiversity. Projections of declines at the global
scale are contrasted by highly variable trends at local scales, suggesting that biodiversity …

Scientists disagree about the nature of biodiversity change. While there is evidence for
widespread declines from population surveys, assemblage surveys reveal a mix of declines …

Commercial-scale mining for polymetallic nodules could have a major impact on the deep-
sea environment, but the effects of these mining activities on deep-sea ecosystems are very …

The deep sea, the largest ecosystem on Earth and one of the least studied, harbours high
biodiversity and provides a wealth of resources. Although humans have used the oceans for …

Abstract Motivation The BioTIME database contains raw data on species identities and
abundances in ecological assemblages through time. These data enable users to calculate …

The deep sea, the largest biome on Earth, has a series of characteristics that make this
environment both distinct from other marine and land ecosystems and unique for the entire …

The abyssal seafloor covers more than 50% of the Earth and is postulated to be both a
reservoir of biodiversity and a source of important ecosystem services. We show that …

To understand how planet Earth works we study it increasingly as a system–a collection of
interdependent parts or spheres–the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, the …