Physical and chemical factors influencing species distributions on hydrothermal sulfide edifices of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, northeast Pacific
Date
1999
Authors
Sarrazin, J.
Juniper, S. Kim
Massoth, G.
Legendre, P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Marine Ecology Progress Series
Abstract
This study exarnines relationships betwei.n hydrotherrnal vent s p ~ c i e sa nd their surrouncling
physical and chemical environment on 2 high-temperature sulfide edifices of thc Juan de
F U CR~~ d g e(n ortheast Pacific). Video imagery and rn situ temperature and c h emi c~iln formation were
acquired during 2 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dive prograrns in 1993 and 1995, ior a total of 78
scans. Statistical analyses of environmental and faunal data reveal a heterogeneous distribution (correspondence
analyses) of hydrothermal species and demonstrate a significant influence of local physical
and chemical conditions on species distnbutions (canonical correspondence analyses). Results confirm
the importance of hydrogen sulfide to the distribution of vent species as well as the importance of
cornplex variables such as visible flow intensity and substratum type Since less than 30% of the variance
in species distnbutiori could be explained by the measured in situ factors, we conclude by stressing
the need to evaluate effects of other unmeasured environmental factors such as dissolved oxygen,
nitrogen compounds, food availability and biological interactions.
Description
Keywords
Hydrothermal vent ecology, physical and chemical factors, In situ measurements, Habitat characterization, Species distribution, Sulfide edifice, Statistical analysis, Fluid flow, Sub-stratum types, Mosaic habitat
Citation
Sarrazin, J., Juniper, S.K, Massoth, G., & Legendre, P. (1999). Physical and chemical factors influencing species distributions on hydrothermal sulfide edifices of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, northeast Pacific, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 185. http://doi.org/10.3354/meps190089