44
other related factors. However, it was not until recently that changes related to the
seasons or other patterns were demonstrated, in particular in relation to variability
in primary production at the surface in temperate areas, global climate change, or
other erratic or recurrent climate phenomena.
Biological Diversity Similar to that of Rainforests
in the Abyssal ‘Desert’
The biological diversity of abyssal sediments remains poorly known. The main reasons for this are as follows: the considerable extent of this environment (around
300 million km
2
), the difficulties in access resulting in clear undersampling (a few
hundred square metres for macrofauna, a few square metres for meiofauna), the
Fig. 2.3 Tripod fish Bathypterois sp. on the seabed in the
Gulf of Guinea
Fig. 2.4 Rattail fish Coryphaenoides sp. (grenadier) in
the Atlantic
J. Galéron
other related factors. However, it was not until recently that changes related to the
seasons or other patterns were demonstrated, in particular in relation to variability
in primary production at the surface in temperate areas, global climate change, or
other erratic or recurrent climate phenomena.
Biological Diversity Similar to that of Rainforests
in the Abyssal ‘Desert’
The biological diversity of abyssal sediments remains poorly known. The main reasons for this are as follows: the considerable extent of this environment (around
300 million km
2
), the difficulties in access resulting in clear undersampling (a few
hundred square metres for macrofauna, a few square metres for meiofauna), the
Fig. 2.3 Tripod fish Bathypterois sp. on the seabed in the
Gulf of Guinea
Fig. 2.4 Rattail fish Coryphaenoides sp. (grenadier) in
the Atlantic
J. Galéron