Carbon budget of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa

Carbon budget of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa.

(1) Heriot Watt University School of Life Sciences; (2) University of Glasgow Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences

Cold-water corals, such as Lophelia pertusa, are amongst the most three dimensionally complex deep-sea habitats known, their structures supporting high local biodiversity. Their remoteness and short research history means that to date little is known of the physiology of these animals. Understanding the energy allocation of an organism, and its flexibility, are both key to determining the survival of many species during this time of rapid global change. This data includes multiple carbon budget parameters of L. pertusa, including respiration, calcification and carbon excretion, as well as carbon uptake from corals fed two different diets.