1. #TropiCon20 Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are found at 30-150m depths & represent ~80% of possible #coralreef habitats worldwide

Technological advances mean threatened MCEs are increasingly studied, but remaining knowledge gaps limit inclusion in policy & management
1. #TropiCon20 Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are found at 30-150m depths & represent ~80% of possible #coralreef habitats worldwideTechnological advances mean threatened MCEs are increasingly studied, but remaining knowledge gaps limit inclusion in policy & management
1. #TropiCon20 Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are found at 30-150m depths & represent ~80% of possible #coralreef habitats worldwideTechnological advances mean threatened MCEs are increasingly studied, but remaining knowledge gaps limit inclusion in policy & management
1. #TropiCon20 Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are found at 30-150m depths & represent ~80% of possible #coralreef habitats worldwideTechnological advances mean threatened MCEs are increasingly studied, but remaining knowledge gaps limit inclusion in policy & management
2. #TropiCon20 The @WILDOCEANSSA @CommunityCEPF expedition to Comoros surveyed unknown mesophotic reefs with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) to document benthic biodiversity & inform management strategies. 36 ROV dives recorded 50hrs of footage, across 3 islands at 40-200m depths
3. #TropiCon20 We studied mesophotic #octocoral communities by creating morphotype libraries & analysing ROV footage with ImageJ software ⬇️

However, advances in #computervision & automated annotation offer solutions to time-consuming image analysis, such as CoralNet or BIIGLE
4. #TropiCon20 Our preliminary #octocoral results suggest the lower #mesophotic zone harbours depth specialists & distinct assemblages, according to PCO & PERMANOVA analysis.

Though anthropogenic impacts on MCEs are poorly understood, litter was recorded in ~50% transects ⬇️
4. #TropiCon20 Our preliminary #octocoral results suggest the lower #mesophotic zone harbours depth specialists & distinct assemblages, according to PCO & PERMANOVA analysis.Though anthropogenic impacts on MCEs are poorly understood, litter was recorded in ~50% transects
4. #TropiCon20 Our preliminary #octocoral results suggest the lower #mesophotic zone harbours depth specialists & distinct assemblages, according to PCO & PERMANOVA analysis.Though anthropogenic impacts on MCEs are poorly understood, litter was recorded in ~50% transects
4. #TropiCon20 Our preliminary #octocoral results suggest the lower #mesophotic zone harbours depth specialists & distinct assemblages, according to PCO & PERMANOVA analysis.Though anthropogenic impacts on MCEs are poorly understood, litter was recorded in ~50% transects
5. #TropiCon20 But how does technology support MCE conservation?

Integrating #remotesensing & automated analysis can document MCEs at broader scales. Alongside community #engagement, the Comoros data is being used to inform designation of new protected areas & management plans
Particularly big thanks to @AyeshaBobat @water_nomad @Paris_St_V, the Comoros expedition team & all funders for making this work possible! And thank you @BES_Tropical @BESConservation for this event 🌏
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