Colonization and succession in deep-sea ecosystems.

Experimental studies reveal generally slow but variable colonization rates in deep-sea soft bottoms. Species successions following biological disturbance appear to be complex and unpredictable, potentially playing a role in structuring these diverse communities. In contrast, physical processes probably play a prominent role in the rapid species turnovers observed at hydrothermal vents. Better information concerning disturbance regimes, recruitment processes and resource utilization is required to elaborate successional mechanisms in both soft-bottom and vent environments.