Coral reefs are widely regarded as one of the top science and conservation priorities globally, as previous research has demonstrated that these ecosystems harbor an extraordinary biodiversity, myriad ecosystem services, and are highly vulnerable to human stressors. However, most of this knowledge is derived from studies on nearshore and shallow-water reefs, with coral reef ecosystems remaining virtually unstudied in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), commonly known as the high seas. We reviewed information on the spatial distribution of reef-building corals throughout their depth range, and compiled a total of 537,782 records, including 116 unique records from ABNJ at depths between 218–5,647 m. The majority of reef-building coral records in ABNJ were in association with geomorphological features that have steep topographies. These habitats, which include escarpments, seamounts, and submarine ridges accounted for >74% of the records in international waters. Such geomorphological features, particularly those that occur within close proximity to the sea surface, should be prioritized for future scientific exploration. The majority of the reef-building coral records in ABNJ (>77%) were recorded in unprotected waters, and this study discusses the challenges and opportunities for protecting marine biodiversity in ABNJ. Finally, this study offers a definition of high seas coral reefs, and provides a framework to better understand and conserve these fragile ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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公海珊瑚礁：需要保护的隐藏生物多样性热点

珊瑚礁被广泛认为是全球最重要的科学和保护优先事项之一，因为先前的研究表明，这些生态系统拥有非凡的生物多样性、无数的生态系统服务，并且极易受到人类压力的影响。然而，这些知识大部分来自对近岸和浅水珊瑚礁的研究，而在国家管辖范围以外的海洋区域 (ABNJ)（通常称为公海）中，珊瑚礁生态系统实际上仍未得到研究。我们回顾了造礁珊瑚在其整个深度范围内的空间分布信息，并汇编了总共 537,782 条记录，其中包括来自 ABNJ 的 218-5,647 m 深度的 116 条独特记录。ABNJ 的大多数造礁珊瑚记录与具有陡峭地形的地貌特征有关。这些栖息地，包括悬崖、海山和海底山脊，占国际水域记录的 74% 以上。此类地貌特征，尤其是那些发生在靠近海面的地貌特征，应优先用于未来的科学探索。ABNJ 的大部分造礁珊瑚记录（> 77%）记录在未受保护的水域，本研究讨论了保护 ABNJ 海洋生物多样性的挑战和机遇。最后，这项研究提供了公海珊瑚礁的定义，并提供了一个框架，以更好地了解和保护这些脆弱的生态系统。特别是那些发生在靠近海面的地方，应优先用于未来的科学探索。ABNJ 的大部分造礁珊瑚记录（> 77%）记录在未受保护的水域，本研究讨论了保护 ABNJ 海洋生物多样性的挑战和机遇。最后，这项研究提供了公海珊瑚礁的定义，并提供了一个框架，以更好地了解和保护这些脆弱的生态系统。特别是那些发生在靠近海面的地方，应优先用于未来的科学探索。ABNJ 的大部分造礁珊瑚记录（> 77%）记录在未受保护的水域，本研究讨论了保护 ABNJ 海洋生物多样性的挑战和机遇。最后，这项研究提供了公海珊瑚礁的定义，并提供了一个框架来更好地了解和保护这些脆弱的生态系统。