Marine Biodiversity in the Northern California Current: Integrated observations from plankton to seascapes to support novel science and dynamic management.
Maria T Kavanaugh, Oregon State University, maria.kavanaugh@oregonstate.edu (Presenter)
Jennifer Fisher, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, jennifer.fisher@noaa.gov
Moritz Schmid, Oregon State University, moritz.schmid@oregonstate.edu
Robert Cowen, Oregon State University, robert.cowen@oregonstate.edu
Su Sponaugle, Oregon State University, su.sponaugle@oregonstate.edu
Lauren Juranek, Oregon State University, lauren.juranek@oregonstate.edu
Samantha Zeman, Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem Resources Studies, sam.zeman@oregonstate.edu
Jan Newton, Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems, janewton@uw.edu
Anna Bolm, Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem Resources Studies, anna.bolm@oregonstate.edu
Jenny Waddell, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, jenny.waddell@noaa.gov
Stephanie Moore, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, stephanie.moore@noaa.gov
Nicolaus Adams, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, nicolaus.adams@noaa.gov
Kym Jacobson, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, kym.jacobson@noaa.gov
The Northern California Current is a dynamic, productive, and spatially heterogeneous coastal ecosystem driven by basin-scale circulation variability, intermittent upwelling, and riverine influences. The marine biodiversity observation network (MBON) node in the Northern California current node was established in 2020 with the purpose to extend the MBON to the Pacific Northwest, develop new remote sensing indicators for management, and determine the biophysical drivers of planktonic biodiversity and size structure in this highly heterogenous and optically complex environment. Partnering with long term surveys conducted through NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, we obtained cross-shelf, latitudinal, and depth resolved information on multi-trophic level community composition and size structure through the use through the use of spectral bio-optics, imaging flow cytometry, and a towed in situ ichthyoplankton systems. Major results include validation of remote sensing reflectance-based size structure algorithms, unique planktonic assemblages among seascapes, and affinity of water column assemblages to seascape surface patch structure. Our efforts inform indicator development for fisheries management, national marine sanctuaries climate assessments, and northwest Indian fisheries Commission pelagic habitat assessment.
Associated Project(s):
Poster Location ID: 3-3
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Poster Session 3
Session Date: Thu (May 11) 3:00-5:00 PM
CCE Program: MBON