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Abstract
The abyssal seafloor covers more than 50% of the Earth and is postulated to be both
a reservoir of biodiversity and a source of important ecosystem services. We show
that ecosystem structure and function in the abyss are strongly modulated by the quantity
and quality of detrital food material sinking from the surface ocean. Climate change
and human activities (e.g. successful ocean fertilization) will alter patterns of
sinking food flux to the deep ocean, substantially impacting the structure, function
and biodiversity of abyssal ecosystems. Abyssal ecosystem response thus must be considered
in assessments of the environmental impacts of global warming and ocean fertilization.