Are deep-sea ecosystems surrounding Madagascar threatened by land-use or climate change?

In this short communication, we present a multidisciplinaty study of sedimentary records collected from a deep-sea interfluve proximal to the mouths of major northwestern Madagascan rivers. For the last 60 years, the seafloor has been repeatedly disturbed by the deposition of organic rich, tropical, terrestrial sediments causing marked reductions in benthic biodiversity. Increased soil erosion due to local land-use, deforestation and intensifying tropical cyclones are potential causes for this sedimentary budget and biodiversity shift. Our marine sedimentary records indicate that until now, these conditions have not occurred within the region for at least 20,000 years.

Keyword(s)

Multidisciplinary study, Benthic foraminifera, Land-use, Tropical cyclones

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Census Data of fossil foraminiferal fauna.
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Fontanier Christophe, Mamo Briony, Toucanne Samuel, Bayon Germain, Schmidt Sabine, Deflandre Bruno, Dennielou Bernard, Jouet Gwenael, Garnier Eline, Sakai Saburo, Lamas Ruth Martinez, Duros Pauline, Toyofuku Takashi, Sale Aurelien, Belleney Deborah, Bichon Sabrina, Boissier Audrey, Cheron Sandrine, Pitel Mathilde, Roubi Angelique, Rovere Mickael, Gremare Antoine, Dupre Stephanie, Jorry Stephan (2018). Are deep-sea ecosystems surrounding Madagascar threatened by land-use or climate change?. Deep-sea Research Part I-oceanographic Research Papers. 131. 93-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2017.11.011, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00413/52488/

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