Deep Margins Under Pressure - Climate Change and Human Impacts on Continental Slopes

Explore the critical importance of deep continental margins in this 57-minute Sverdrup Lecture from the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting. Dive into the heterogeneous nature of these vast underwater regions, covering 45 million square kilometers and extending over 150,000 km. Discover how these once-overlooked areas are now recognized for their diverse habitats, key ecological functions, and ecosystem services. Examine the rapid changes occurring due to increasing atmospheric CO2, including shifts in temperature, oxygen levels, and pH. Investigate the impacts of natural- and climate-change induced hypoxia, acidification, and warming on upwelling margins. Learn how natural variations provide insights into evolutionary and ecological responses to environmental stressors. Consider the potential consequences of human activities such as oil and gas extraction, fishing, and minerals mining on these vulnerable ecosystems. Understand the urgent need for improved stewardship of deep-ocean ecosystems and resources, requiring a global commitment and integration of various scientific disciplines, technology, policy, and stakeholder engagement.