Contents:

I - Executive summary
1 - Introduction
2 - Mapping deep-sea habitats
3 - Biodiversity patterns
4 - New research directions - Patterns
5 - Deep-sea sampling methods and emerging technologies
6 - Processes - Priority studies
7 - Are deep-sea resources sustainable ?
8 - Selected key research questions

II - Workshop communications

Mediterranean deep-sea biota
- Gaps in Mediterranean deep-sea megafaunal biology and fisheries.
J. Batista Company, G. Rotllant and F. Sardà

- Differences in biomass composition and size-related structure between Mediterranean and Atlantic deep-sea fish assemblages.
J. Moranta, J.D.M. Gordon, E. Massutí, S.C. Swan, C. Stefanescu, B. Morales-Nin and N.R. Merrett

- Deep-sea biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea: a comparison at different spatial scales.
R. Danovaro and C. Gambi

- Deep-sea zooplankton ecology of the Eastern Mediterranean. State-of-the-art and perspectives.
R. Koppelmann and H. Weikert.

- Community structure of meiofauna and macrofauna in Mediterranean Deep-Hyper-saline Anoxic Basins.
N. Lampadariou, E. Hatziyanni, and A. Tselepides

- Deep-sea bacteria: the Mediterranean sea as a model environment.
L. Giuliano, C. Tamburini, A. Tursi, and C. Corselli

Hard substrate system
- Current challenges in the study of biological communities at deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
A. Metaxas

- Chemosynthesis-based ecosystems in the deep Atlantic ­ what we do know and we don't
D. Desbruyères

- Sources of energy for deep-sea benthos in Mediterranean mud volcanoes.
A. Fiala-Médioni

General trends and needs
- Research needs on biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems.
P.V.R. Snelgrove

- Long-term change in deep-sea environments: examples from the Atlantic Ocean.
D. Billett

III - Bibliographic references

IV - List of participants