Deep-sea ecosystems of the Indian Ocean >1000 m.

Abstract

The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceans, accounting for ~20 % of the global marine realm. It is geomorphologically complex, hosting a wide variety of ecosystems across basins, trenches, seamounts, ridges, and fracture zones. While modern exploration has contributed significantly to our knowledge of its coastal ecosystems, deeper waters (>1000 m) remain relatively unknown despite accounting for over 90 % of its total area. This study provides the first comprehensive review of the Indian Ocean's diverse deep sea, presenting ecosystem knowledge summaries for each major seafloor feature, contextualised with the broader historical, socioeconomic, geological, and oceanographic conditions. Unsurprisingly, some ecosystems are better characterised than others, from the relatively well-surveyed Java (Sunda) Trench and hydrothermal vents of the Carlsberg, Central and Southwest Indian Ridges, to the unexplored Southeast Indian Ridge and hadal features of the western Indian Ocean. Similarly, there is a large depth discrepancy in available records with a clear bias towards shallower sampling. We identify four outstanding problems to be addressed for the advancement of deep-sea research in the Indian Ocean: 1) inconsistencies in research extent and effort over spatial scales, 2) severe lack of data over temporal scales, 3) unexplored deep pelagic environments, and 4) a need to place the Indian Ocean's deep-sea ecosystems in a global context. By synthesising and championing existing research, identifying knowledge gaps, and presenting the outstanding problems to be addressed, this review provides a platform to ensure this forgotten ocean is prioritised for deep-sea research during the UN Ocean Decade and beyond.