@article{fdi:010094447,
  title = {{M}arine animal forest formed by gorgonians {S}ubergorgia on near-shore mesophotic ecosystems in {R}eunion {I}sland},
  author = {{H}oarau, {L}udovic and {P}enin, {L}. and {B}oissin, {E}. and {R}ouze, {H}{\'e}lo{\¨ie}se and {S}auvignet, {H}. and {B}ureau, {S}. and {M}angion, {P}. and {L}abarr{\`e}re, {P}. and {B}igot, {L}. and {C}habanet, {P}ascale and {O}tero-{F}errer, {F}. and {B}ramanti, {L}. and {A}djeroud, {M}ehdi},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}esophotic coral ecosystems ({MCE}s), occurring between 30 and 150 m depth, are increasingly recognized for their ecological importance, yet they remain underexplored, particularly in the southwestern {I}ndian {O}cean. {D}uring benthic surveys conducted at depths ranging from 15 to 75 m off northwestern {R}eunion {I}sland, we documented a dense and extensive marine animal forest ({MAF}) dominated by large arborescent octocorals {S}ubergorgia cf. suberosa. {T}his monospecific community formed a complex three-dimensional habitat spanning a substantial area at mesophotic depths over the northwestern abrupt slopes of {R}eunion {I}sland. {C}olonies reached over 1.5 m in height, providing structural habitat for diverse fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages. {A} total of 53 fish species from 22 families were recorded in association with this {MAF}, alongside numerous epibionts and understory anthozoans. {D}espite its ecological value, this habitat faces significant anthropogenic pressures, particularly from fishing activities. {N}early 25% of photographed {S}. cf. suberosa colonies were entangled in fishing lines, with visible damage including tissue necrosis and polyp loss affecting up to 47% of colonies. {T}hese impacts, along with sedimentation from runoff, raise concerns for the long-term persistence of this mesophotic habitat-forming community, as long-lived, slow-growing organisms like gorgonians may be more impacted by these types of disturbances and take longer to recover than fast-growing organisms. {O}ur findings represent the first quantitative assessment of {S}ubergorgia dominance and associated biodiversity in this region and highlight its role as a potential refuge for shallow reef taxa. {T}he ecological significance, spatial extent, and fragility of this {MAF} underscore the urgent need for spatially replicated surveys, targeted conservation strategies, and regulation of damaging activities such as fishing. {W}e advocate for increased research efforts focused on mesophotic habitats, with particular attention to the population dynamics and ecological functions of large gorgonians, to better understand the role of {MCE}s in reef resilience under accelerating environmental changes.},
  keywords = {benthic communities ; biodiversity refuge ; foundation species ; gorgonians ; marine animal forest ; mesophotic coral ecosystems ; octocorals ; sessile organisms ; southwestern {I}ndian {O}cean ; {REUNION} ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}cosphere},
  volume = {16},
  numero = {8},
  pages = {e70362 [ p.]},
  ISSN = {2150-8925},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1002/ecs2.70362},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094447},
}