Mesopelagic zone research
Key results of the research work carried out during the SUMMER (Sustainable Management of Mesopelagic Resources) project
Key findings on mesopelagic zone research
This report presents the main findings and progress made in the SUMMER project, which focuses on the mesopelagic zone, a vast and enigmatic ecosystem that spans depths between 200 and 1,000 meters and occupies about 60% of the planet’s surface. SUMMER has explored this ecosystem from multiple perspectives: the estimation of biomass and biodiversity, the role of mesopelagic species in carbon transport, trophic interactions and their potential economic exploitation.
This report highlights the innovative methods implemented, such as eDNA and acoustics, the challenges associated with sustainability, and the implications for ecosystem management of these resources. Through this research, it has contributed to filling critical gaps in knowledge and laying a solid foundation for the future management and conservation of one of the oceans’ most extensive and influential ecosystems.
Table of contents:
- Executive summary
- Biodiversity and biomass
- Ecosystem services and management assessment
- Food web structure and resilience
- High-value products
- Communication and dissemination
- Carbon storage and climate regulation
- Policy implications
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
