Managing deep-sea mining is challenging due to limited data on species and habitat distribution, hindering decision-making. In less-explored polymetallic nodule sites in the Indian Ocean, management approaches are deemed unfeasible due to a substantial lack of data. In this study, we aim to bridge the knowledge gap through a detailed analysis of the macrobenthos (fauna > 300 µm) obtained with two sampling gears (multi- and box corer) in potential impact, preservation, and reference zones in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. In total, 337 individuals were categorized into 106 morphospecies and 18 higher taxa. The lowest abundance was reported in the box corer. Nematodes and copepods dominated the macrobenthos community, whereas polychaetes and tanaidaceans were the more prevalent macrofaunal taxa. Carbohydrates and total organic carbon showed a notable positive correlation with polychaetes, isopods, and bivalves, indicating their influence on larger-sized taxa. Various functional traits, i.e., less motile, discretely motile, biodiffusors, and upward/downward conveyers, were dominant in the study area. The comparative analysis of multi- and box corer sampling reveals distinct patterns in macrobenthic diversity, emphasizing the importance of employing both gears for accurate functional analysis. The paper underscores the significance of including large meiofaunal taxa in macrofauna analyses for assessing deep-sea ecosystem functioning and services. Additionally, the findings contribute significantly to environmental baseline and impact assessment, a crucial aspect of sustainable management in a highly promising polymetallic nodule mining area, aligning with the goals of exploring.

中文翻译：

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基于多岩心和盒岩心分析的印度洋多金属结核田大型底栖动物群落


由于物种和栖息地分布的数据有限，管理深海采矿具有挑战性，阻碍了决策。在印度洋勘探较少的多金属结核地点，由于严重缺乏数据，管理方法被认为不可行。在这项研究中，我们的目标是通过对印度中部潜在影响、保护和参考区域中使用两个取样装置（多取样器和箱式取样器）获得的大型底栖动物（动物群 > 300 µm）进行详细分析来弥补知识差距海洋盆地。总共 337 个个体被分为 106 个形态种和 18 个高等类群。据报告，盒式取芯器中的丰度最低。线虫和桡足类在大型底栖动物群落中占主导地位，而多毛类和蜥蜴类是更普遍的大型底栖动物类群。碳水化合物和总有机碳与多毛类、等足类和双壳类表现出显着的正相关，表明它们对较大类群的影响。各种功能特征，即运动较少、离散运动、生物扩散器和向上/向下输送器，在研究区域中占主导地位。多取样器和盒式取样器取样的比较分析揭示了大型底栖动物多样性的不同模式，强调了使用两种装置进行准确功能分析的重要性。该论文强调了将大型小型动物类群纳入大型动物分析中对于评估深海生态系统功能和服务的重要性。此外，研究结果对环境基线和影响评估做出了重大贡献，这是一个极具前景的多金属结核矿区可持续管理的一个重要方面，与勘探目标相一致。