Marine scientists affiliated with the University of California, Davis are located both on the Davis campus and also at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, a 2 hour drive. On the Davis campus, marine scientists have appointments within a number of different departments that span several colleges. These departments include Evolution and Ecology; Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior; Environmental Science and Policy; Animal Science; Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology; Environmental Toxicology; Molecular and Cellular Biology; Geology; Veterinary Medicine; Land, Air and Water Resources; and Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering. In addition, some of these same faculty are associated with the campus-wide Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture. This program assists in the coordination and dissemination of information for a variety of marine-related activities.

The Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) is an Organized Research Unit of the University of California, administered by the Davis campus. Located on Bodega Head in Sonoma County, a diverse array of coastal habitats is available for study within a small area. Intertidal habitats include sandy beaches, salt marshes, excellent rocky shoreline with tidepools, and extensive mud and sandflats in Bodega Harbor. Marinas within Bodega Harbor provide access to float and piling communities. Extensive bay and ocean habitats from subtidal to 100 feet are close to the Laboratory, offering Scuba research opportunities. A research vessel and small boats are available to support offshore work. Terrestrial habitats on Bodega Head include dunes, bluffs, coastal prairie, and small freshwater wetlands.

Bodega Head has been a field site for researchers and students since the 1920s. The Laboratory was founded in 1960 by UC Berkeley and the first building was completed in 1966 (construction funded by the National Science Foundation). The second building was completed in 1977. BML was transferred to UC Davis in 1983. A third wing was completed in 1995.

Bodega Marine Laboratory
P.O. Box 247
Bodega Bay, CA 94923
phone: 707 875-2211
http://bml.ucdavis.edu

Email: ucdbml@ucdavis.edu

Key personnel:

Dr. Susan Williams, Director

Dr. Claudia Luke, Asst. Director for Programs & Reserve Manager

Ms. Skyli McAfee, Asst. Director for Operations & Facilities

Marine scientists at Bodega Marine Lab carry out research in five main areas:

Atmospheric and Oceanographic Influences on Ecosystems:

The ocean off BML is renowned for strong winds that draw cold nutrient-rich water up to sunlit ocean surfaces and support one of the earth’s most productive marine ecosystems. BML scientists examine how oceanographic and atmospheric processes shape the environment and influence the distribution and growth of marine organisms along the coast. Studies address marine fisheries, atmospheric processes, marine protected areas, carbon and nitrogen cycles, land runoff and water quality in coastal waters. This research makes use of BML’s environmental sensor network BOON and state-of-the-art research vessel, R/V Mussel Point.

Biodiversity, Conservation and Ecosystem Management:

California is one of 25 global hotspots of biodiversity that encompass 1.4% of the Earth’s surface but account for 60% of the world’s species. Overlain on the biological complexity of this region is a burgeoning human population that produces an array of environmental perturbations — from species declines and habitat loss to changes in atmospheric chemistry and climate. BML scientists develop ecological understanding and conservation techniques needed to conserve coastal diversity. The Laboratory supports this research with fresh and saltwater salmon research facilities and seawater laboratories.

Physiological Stress and Pathogens:

Natural and anthropogenic stressors, such as climate change, disease or toxicants, can have widespread effects on ecosystem processes. Research at BML traces the effects of physiological and embryonic impairments to population and community level outcomes, and focuses on many species economically important to California fisheries ( e.g., lobster, abalone, herring and salmon). Studies are made possible by BML’s state-approved pathogen containment facilities and crustacean culture laboratories.

Species Invasion

Invasive species are a leading cause of declines in biodiversity and the productivity of ecosystems worldwide. BML is a primary field site for invasive species research at UC Davis, a leading institution for invasion biology in the United States. BML scientists find novel and effective approaches for the control of invasive species through better understanding of community interactions and ecological theory. The Laboratory supports access to two of the best-studied marine environments for invasive species in the world, Bodega Harbor and San Francisco Bay.

Ecology and Evolution

BML researchers conduct field work from San Francisco to Point Arena, a stretch of coastline known for the complexity of its marine and terrestrial environments. Local habitats at the Laboratory are particularly diverse. No place else can researchers study seagrass beds, mudflats, coastal prairie, dunes, sandy beaches, subtidal and rocky intertidal communities all within walking distance. Researchers explore these habitats to tease apart the complex relationships among terrestrial and marine organisms — from the neural pathways of behavior to community structure shaped by predator and prey.

All-in-One Facilities Use Application

(Housing, Reserve Use, Lab Space, Boats, Aquaria)

http://bml.ucdavis.edu/facility/rams.html

The Bodega Marine Reserve

The Bodega Marine Reserve is a "living laboratory" where scientists are able to study natural areas as "control sites" that are unimpacted by humans.

Bodega Marine Laboratory Facilities and Programs

Environmental Monitoring Systems Environmental sensors and wireless networking systems provide new opportunities for field research and educational activities. BML’s regional sensor network, established

by staff, researchers and collaborators now supports atmospheric and biological sensors from Salt Point to Point Reyes (www.bml.ucdavis/boon).

Over 40 years of environmental monitoring data gathered from sensors and other sources are archived at the facilities.

Marine Operations The BML Marine Operations Program provides research vessels, safety training, and skilled navigators needed to conduct research and teaching on marine and freshwater from the Sacramento River to the offshore waters of the open ocean. Boat support facilities and vessels include outboard boats that can be checked out by trained researchers and the Mussel Point, a fully-sensored state-of-the-art research vessel that is providing new potential for data collection on the open ocean.

Information and Environmental Technology The Information and Environmental Technology Group is the Laboratory’s digital connection to the world. The group ensures that data streaming from field sensors in BML’s environmental monitoring systems is archived and available, and provides the computer, network, and equipment support needed by researchers and educators to communicate with colleagues and access information resources. IET responsibilities include the maintenance and administration of automated data acquisition systems, database management, website development, audio/visual support, network administration and computer desktop support.

Scientific Diving Program The UC Davis Scientific Diving Program is based at BML and is affiliated with nationally-recognized scuba and first aid training organizations. The program offers training and certification in research diving, and supports underwater research and teaching with a pool of skilled and qualified divers. Our staff works with many other institutions to develop, share and standardize curriculum, training methods, and subtidal research techniques and tools. Dive support facilities and equipment include the Roger and Elizabeth Sippl Diver Training Facility, dive lockers, and scuba and nitrox support services.

Boating Safety Program The new UC Davis Boating Safety Program, established at BML in 2005, trains researchers in boat operation and is affiliated with the Scientific Boating Safety Association and the National Safe

Boating Council. Our program staff are certified boating instructors for the Department of Interior and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Aquatic Resources The Aquatic Resources Group (ARG) provides the expertise and services needed to study and care for marine organisms in captivity. We provide facility-wide animal husbandry/life support services and oversight for proper handling, maintenance and health care needed to sustain aquatic animals and plants. ARG additionally provides animal collection services for researchers around the world, designs and develops experimental aquaria systems and BML’s computer-controlled seawater system, and manages research wet space.

The Cadet Hand Library. For BML staff and students with key access, the Library is available 24 hours per day year round. A librarian is present from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The collection consisting of journals, monographs, photographic slides, maps/charts/atlases/aerial photos, and technical reports supports the research and instructional programs at BML. More than 2500 student reports -- dating from the late 1920's -- provide valuable documentation and descriptions of fauna and flora that have been the subject of course related research projects at the site. The Library has bound copies of theses and dissertations done by graduate students at BML and on the Bodega Marine Reserve. BML maintains a synoptic collection of local marine invertebrates and fishes, and selected specimens of shorebirds and marine mammals. The herbarium collection contains both marine algae and specimens.

Research Aquaria. Numerous aquaria (5 to 50 gallons) are available. Water tables are located in many laboratories including rooms with controlled photoperiod that have tanks up to 800 gallons. Large outdoor tanks and ponds are available in addition to six 1,000 gallon raceways, two of which have windows for behavioral observations. Walk-in environmental rooms have running seawater and controlled photoperiod.

Seawater System. The Laboratory's seawater system pumps water continuously with variable flow from two 8 inch diameter PVC intake lines located about 200 ft offshore in Horseshoe Cove. Two stainless steel centrifugal pumps continuously provide up to 600 gallons of seawater per minute to the south and north wing storage reservoirs where the majority of the water is sand filtered to a nominal 30 microns. Seawater is distributed by gravity flow to dozens of labs and the two aquarium rooms in the north and south wings, the west wing water features and the outside pond and raceway systems. Approximately 150 gpm of temperature controlled heated and chilled seawater is made available primarily to the fish and shellfish pathology laboratory in the north wing. This laboratory is the only certified facility in California authorized to use pathogens in flowing seawater. Unfiltered seawater is also available for researchers needing ambient plankton samples or food for filtering organisms

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Instructional Program. The Bodega Marine Laboratory is the setting for a wide range of instructional support, ranging from one-day field trips to extensive residential classes. The Laboratory also offers two residential programs. One is a curriculum in marine biology for upper division undergraduates during the Spring Quarter. These courses provide students with opportunities not available on campus. Participants receive individualized attention and technical experience in original scientific research while examining topics in population biology and ecology, physiology of marine organisms, and marine vertebrate biology. Students work in close association with Laboratory faculty and staff while pursuing research related to a course area. Course offerings are variable and have included "Physiological Adaptation of Marine Organisms," "Population Biology and Ecology," and "Marine Vertebrate Biology." In addition, students participate in an advanced laboratory course that involves an intensive research project related to the above courses. Research is conducted at BML under supervision of resident faculty. These courses carry upper division biology credits and UC students can obtain credit for upper division electives. Students of other campuses or universities may enroll as intercampus visitor or concurrent students.

The Laboratory also offers three Summer Programs: Marine Organisms and Communities of the California Coast, Effects of Coastal Pollution on Marine Organisms; and Oceanography, the Coastal Environment, and Organism Form  ( http://bml.ucdavis.edu/student-info/summercourses.html )

Shop. Fully staffed machine, carpentry, and welding shops can fabricate research apparatus or make equipment repairs.

Tidal Mesocosm. BML is in the process of completing construction of a tidal mesocosm that will be used as a research, teaching, and public education tool. Most tidepool exhibits using flow through or recirculating seawater serve primarily as touch tanks or coarse depictions of rocky shore habitat. BML researchers have designed a functional moderate size (16m by 5m) tidal habitat incorporating sandy and rocky bottom ocean environments.

A critical feature lacking in fabricated aquatic systems is adequate throughput energy and biomass. We have designed an 87,000 liter (23,000 gallons) mesocosm with tide, wave, and surge recreating the dynamic exposed intertidal areas that border on the West Coast's most significant upwelling zone. Additionally, a vegetated soft bottom community mimicking the Bodega Harbor mudflats is created by a bifurcating glass reinforced fiberglass concrete (GFRC) peninsula providing a protected low energy environment.

Flooded, leaky, and dry zones at various tides are important aspects created in both the low and high energy areas. Biomass can be modulated using a variety of plankton sources separated through large volume seawater filtration. A combination of recruitment and selective habitat transfer is anticipated to create a fairly complex food web that will be closely monitored.

The matrix of habitat, zones, and energy regimes is expected to provide numerous opportunities for faculty and student research in addition to enjoyable formal and informal education at all levels.

Housing. Bodega Marine Lab Housing Enclave is located approximately one mile from the Laboratory. There is an easy access trail and a bicycle path. The accommodations range from dormitory rooms to a three bedroom cottage. BML Housing is available for classes, researchers and some conference attendees. Options for differing units is dependent upon purpose and availability. Full meal service can be provided in the Dining Hall, or by special arrangement, in the Laboratory.