Vent/Seep Communities (Biotic Group)

Component: Biotic

Unique Identifier: 519

Biotic Setting	Benthic/Attached Biota
Biotic Class	Faunal Bed
Biotic Subclass	Attached Fauna
Biotic Group	Vent/Seep Communities
Biotic Community	Calyptogena Communities Riftia Communities

Description

Definition

Areas near deep-sea vents and seeps, often dominated by very large fauna (e.g., bivalves, pogonophorans) which derive nutrition from chemoautotrophic bacteria that can utilize the chemicals present in the vent or seep as an energy source. Many Vent/Seep Communities are spectacular ecosystems with very high biomass and a diversity of unusual fauna. These areas are often characterized by hard substrates due to the active geologic processes that create vents and seeps.