Profile
Mesophotic reefs are poorly known compared to their shallow water counterparts, but they may have a vital role to play as a refuge for species during periods of warming and bleaching. We know very little about the relationship between shallow and mesophotic reefs, and so our aim is to investigate how community composition varies with depth, the environmental drivers of those communities, and how well connected deep and shallow populations are.
A key part of our work is to map the distribution of mesophotic reefs throughout the Chagos Archipelago, and enable us to predict where other mesophotic reef sites may be located. This ability to predict requires a detailed understanding of both the topography and oceanography of the region, and so we are working with hydrographers and oceanographers at Plymouth to provide the data we need. The maps we create can then be used to investigate relationships between mesophotic reefs and larger pelagic organisms like manta rays, that are the focus of other areas of both Plymouth’s and other institutions’ research within the marine science programme.
The key to better spatial management of the oceans is mapping. Our work in the Indian Ocean Region will help us, and others, to better map and model the distribution of key habitats and species at mesophotic depths.
Biography
My Project
Other interests
My research interests in the region surrounding the Chagos Archipelago and beyond lie in deeper waters and focus on sustainable management of offshore and deep-sea ecosystems. Much of my research focuses on delivering the data to support spatial management, including the design of effective marine protected area networks. This includes collection of fundamental ecological data on species and habitats, habitat mapping and modelling, understanding population connectivity through modelling and genetic research, and mapping ecosystem services. Working in deep water involves the use of robotic and autonomous systems, and so I also work on use of artificial intelligence to support species identification from image and video data. I also collaborate with medical scientists to investigate the biomedical potential of marine organisms. Recently I have been working with colleagues in economically less developed nations to help build capacity in deep-sea research.
My Publications
Diverse and Ecologically Unique Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems in the Central Indian Ocean
Diaz, C., Howell, K.L., Hosegood, P., Bolton, A., Foster, N.L. (2024). Diverse and ecologically unique mesophotic coral ecosystems in the central Indian Ocean. Coral Reefs.
Light and Temperature Drive the Distribution of Mesophotic Benthic Communities in the Central Indian Ocean
Diaz, C., Howell, K.L., Robinson, E., Hosegood, P., Bolton, A., Ganderton, P., Arber, P., Attrill, M.J., Foster, N.L. (2023) Light and temperature drive the distribution of mesophotic benthic communities in the Central Indian Ocean. Diversity and Distributions.
Mesophotic Coral Bleaching Associated with Changes in Thermocline Depth
Diaz, C., Foster, N.L., Attrill, M.J., Bolton, A., Ganderton, P., Howell, K.L., Robinson, E., Hosegood, P. (2023). Mesophotic coral bleaching associated with changes in thermocline depth. Nature Communications.
A Review of a Decade of Lessons From One of the World’s Largest MPAs: Conservation Gains and Key Challenges
Hays, G.C., Koldewey, H.J., Andrzejaczek, S., Attrill, M.J., Barley, S., Bayley, D.T.I., Benkwitt, C.E., Block, B., Schallert, R.J., Carlisle, A., Carr, P., Chapple, T.K., Collins, C., Diaz, C., Dunn, N., Dunbar, R.B., Eager, D.S., Engel, J., Embling, C.B., Esteban, N., Ferretti, F., Foster, N.L., Freeman, R., Gollock, M., Graham, N.A.J., Harris, J.L., Head, C.E.I, Hosegood, P., Howell, K.L., Hussey, N.E., Jacoby, D.M.P., Jones, R., Pilly, J.S., Lange, I.D., Letessier, T.B., Levy, E., Lindhart, M., McDevitt-Irwin, J.M., Meekan, M., Meeuwig, J.J., Micheli, F., Mogg, A., Mortimer, J.A., Mucciarone, D.A., Nicoll, M.A., Nuno, A., Perry, C., Preston, S.G., Rattray, A.J., Robinson, E., Roche, R., Schiele, M., Sheehan, E.V., Sheppard, A., Sheppard, C., Smith, A.L., Soule, B., Spalding, M., Stevens, G.M.W., Steyaert, M., Stiffel, S., Taylor, B.M., Tickler, D., Trevail, A.M., Trueba, P., Turner, J., Votier, S., Wilson, B., Williams, G., Williamson, B., Williamson, M.J., Wood, H. and Curnick, D.J. (2020) A review of a decade of lessons from one of the world’s largest MPAs: conservation gains and key challenges. Marine Biology.