Biogenic reefs are known worldwide to play a key role in benthic ecosystems, enhancing
biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at every level, from shallow to deeper waters …

The burning of fossil fuels is an unsustainable activity, which is leading to an increase in
greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and related global warming. Among sustainable …

Organic carbon processing at the seafloor is studied by biogeochemists to quantify burial
and respiration, by organic geochemists to elucidate compositional changes and by …

The effects of global warming have been addressed on coral reefs in tropical areas, while it
is still unclear how coral forests are reacting, particularly at temperate latitudes. Here we …

The term cold-water coral sensu lato groups taxa with a more or less pronounced frame-
building ability (eg Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata) with forest-forming organisms …

The ecology and function of rocky temperate mesophotic ecosystems (TMEs) remain poorly
understood globally despite their widespread distribution. They typically occur at 20–150 m …

A forest of the black coral Antipathella subpinnata was found from 52 to 80 m depth in three
different sites at Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA; Mediterranean Sea), with two …

Abstract The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most polluted marine basins and currently
serves as a hotspot for marine litter. The seafloor represents the ultimate sink for most litter …

Cold-water corals are recognised as a key component of Mediterranean deep-sea
ecosystems but the knowledge of their associated biodiversity is still limited. To date, the …

Mesophotic habitats, hosting benthic assemblages totally unknown and unexpected in the
early 2000s, are attracting an increasing interest from scientists. Realizing that many long …