ChEss project

ChEss project
Name	ChEss project
Established	2007
Director	Unknown
Field	Deep‑sea hydrothermal vent biodiversity
Location	Global (Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Southern Ocean)

ChEss project

The ChEss project was an international scientific initiative focused on mapping and understanding biodiversity at deep‑sea hydrothermal vents and chemosynthetic ecosystems. It united researchers, institutions, and expeditions to survey vent fauna, biogeography, and ecosystem processes across the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans. The project interfaced with major oceanographic programs, exploration vessels, national research agencies and conservation bodies to advance knowledge relevant to policy, resource management and fundamental biology.

Overview

The program coordinated multi‑national expeditions using research ships such as RRS James Cook, RV Polarstern, RV Tangaroa, RV SONNE, RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh and NOAA ships alongside submersibles such as Alvin (submersible), ROV Jason, ROV Hercules, ROV Victor 6000 and HOV Nautile. Participating institutions included the Natural Environment Research Council, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ifremer, CSIC (Spain) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science. The initiative contributed to datasets used by programs like the Census of Marine Life, Global Ocean Observing System and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Objectives and Scope

ChEss aimed to document species distributions at hydrothermal vents and to test hypotheses about biogeographic provinces, dispersal barriers and endemism across ocean basins. Its scopes included targeted regions such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East Pacific Rise, Galápagos Rift, Juan de Fuca Ridge, Gakkel Ridge, North Scotia Ridge, East Scotia Ridge, Australian Antarctic Basin and the Lost City hydrothermal field. The project worked to inform agencies like the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Seabed Authority and United Nations Environment Programme on biodiversity patterns relevant to conservation and potential mining impacts.

Methodology

Operations combined shipboard mapping with multibeam sonar, camera sleds, towed cameras, autonomous underwater vehicles like Autosub, ROV surveys and manned dives. Sampling used box cores, grabs, epibenthic sleds, suction samplers, and in situ experiments deployed from platforms including NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. Taxonomic identification involved museums such as the Natural History Museum, London, Smithsonian Institution, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris), Australian Museum and molecular labs at University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Southampton, University of Tokyo, University of California, Santa Cruz and Imperial College London. Analytical frameworks drew on biogeography from works associated with Alfred Russel Wallace and connectivity models used by researchers linked to Metcalfe (ecology) and ecological theory from authors like Linnaeus in taxonomic baseline efforts.

Key Findings and Results

Surveys expanded known species lists with new taxa of annelids, molluscs, crustaceans and chemosynthetic bacteria from sites including the Mid‑Atlantic Ridge, Rainbow (hydrothermal field), Lucky Strike and TAG hydrothermal field. Results supported distinct biogeographic provinces with barriers linked to plate tectonics at features such as the East Pacific Rise and hydrography influenced by currents like the Gulf Stream, Antarctic Circumpolar Current and North Atlantic Deep Water. Genetic studies revealed population structure consistent with limited dispersal similar to patterns observed in studies of Galápagos Islands endemism and phylogeographic work related to Charles Darwin's hypotheses. Data underpinned syntheses in reports coordinated with the Census of Marine Life and were incorporated into databases at institutions like the World Register of Marine Species.

Impact and Applications

Outcomes informed environmental assessments and advice to the International Seabed Authority concerning potential deep‑sea mining near polymetallic sulfide deposits and manganese nodule fields studied in regions including the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone and Mid‑Atlantic Ridge. The project influenced conservation designations considered by bodies such as Oceana, IUCN and regional fisheries management organizations like the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission. Scientific outputs affected related fields at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and inspired outreach with museums like the Natural History Museum, London and media partnerships involving BBC Natural History Unit and educational initiatives with universities such as University of Oxford.

Collaborations and Funding

Partners spanned national agencies including the Natural Environment Research Council, National Science Foundation, European Commission, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and philanthropic organizations like the Wellcome Trust. Collaborative research involved networks linking Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Ifremer, CSIC (Spain), Scripps Institution of Oceanography and university departments at University of Southampton, University of Cambridge, University of Bergen and University of Auckland.

Criticisms and Limitations

Critiques centered on incomplete spatial coverage, limited temporal replication, and challenges in taxonomic resolution for cryptic species—issues also discussed in forums such as meetings of the International Congress on Marine Science and publications in journals associated with Royal Society Publishing and Nature Publishing Group. Funding constraints from agencies like the European Commission and logistical limits on ship time restricted sampling density, and debates occurred over applicability of results to policy deliberations at the International Seabed Authority and conservation recommendations by the IUCN.

Category:Oceanography projects