The Issue: Global seafloor exploration reveals diverse deep-sea ecosystems, but their sensitivity to climate change remains uncertain. Beyond biodiversity conservation, the combined impacts of climate change and resource exploitation (e.g., fishing, extraction of minerals and hydrocarbons) on deep-sea ecosystems and services require attention.

Synergies across marine, climate, geoscience and economic disciplines highlight the vulnerability of the deep-sea to climate change. Evidence shows climate forces affecting deep-sea ecosystems, from storms to ocean oscillations, especially in ecological hotspots like seamounts, ridges, and canyons. Models predict climate-driven effects on ocean biogeochemistry (deoxygenation, acidification, carbon flux changes). Areas with human activities and increased vertical ocean mixing, e.g., seamounts and canyons, are particularly sensitive, emphasising the importance of climate considerations in environmental management and conservation.

The Working Group: The DOSI Climate Change Working Group, seeks to centralise data on the impact of climate change on deep-sea ecosystems, and address cumulative stressors. The goal is to facilitate integration of this information into environmental impact assessments, management plans, and Marine Protected Area design. The group strives to identify vulnerable areas and foster interdisciplinary research on how deep-sea ecosystems interact with climate. They emphasise a need for experimental and theoretical support, to enhance predictive models for this vital but often overlooked part of the Earth system. Additionally, the Working Group communicates deep-ocean climate science to various international organisations and policy makers through presentations, policy briefs, webinars, and publications.