what is PISCO? The Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans is a long- term program of scientific research and training dedicated to advancing the understanding of marine ecosystems along the U.S. West Coast. PISCO is pioneering an integrated approach to studying these complex, poorly known, exceedingly rich, and economically important environments. PISCO is distinguished by its highly interdisciplinary approach, large geographic extent, and decades-long time frame. PISCO conducts monitoring and experiments along more than 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of coastline, as well as laboratory and theoretical studies. The research incorporates oceanography, ecology, chemistry, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, and mathematical modeling to gain novel insights into systems ranging from individual animals and plants to whole ecosystems. PISCO’s findings apply to conservation and resource management issues. PISCO scientists participate in local, regional, national, and international initiatives in marine environmental planning. Through its university courses, PISCO helps to train the next generation of scientists in interdisciplinary approaches to marine research. Established in 1999 with funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, PISCO is led by scientists from Oregon State University (OSU), Stanford University, University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC), and University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). Additional funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bob and Betty Lundeen Fund, the four universities, and other sources makes this unique partnership possible. PISCO Coastal Connections • Volume 2 View from the Wave Crest PISCO Coastal Connections elcome to the second issue of Volume 2 PISCO Coastal Connections. Our novel approach to studying coastal marine Table of Contents Wecosystems has seen continued success during the past year. PISCO’s program 1 View from the Wave Crest of large-scale, interdisciplinary research 2 Patterns of Change is helping to solve mysteries of these Detailed Mapping Reveals dynamic environments. Changes “Patterns of Change” presents some of our fi ndings regarding variations in marine ecosystems over time and distance. In “Oceanographic Frontiers,” 6 Oceanographic Frontiers we explore new insights into the dynamics of coastal waters. “Ecological Shifts Linked to Long-term Linkages” focuses on our use of innovative techniques to understand complex Cycles connections in ecosystems. “Interdisciplinary Training” features PISCO graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have learned diverse methods 10 Ecological Linkages to produce vital, original research fi ndings. Finally, “Sharing the Science” Tracking Dispersal of Young describes PISCO’s latest activities to advance science-based management of the Animals marine environment. We are energized by these research, training, and outreach successes and 14 Interdisciplinary Training delight in sharing them with you. Enjoy this issue of PISCO Coastal Connections. & Research 1 16 Sharing the Science PISCO Coastal Connections Coordinators: Lydia Bergen, Renee Davis-Born, Satie Airamé, Joanna Nelson Editor & Writer: Peter H. Taylor Creative Director: Jeff Jones Senior Designer: Monica Pessino Designer: Natalie Wong Illustrator: Linda D. Nelson Cover photo: © 2003 Dave Lohse PISCO Coastal Connections is a publication of the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of PISCO Principal Investigators (left to right): Mark Carr (UC Santa Cruz), Robert Coastal Oceans (PISCO). Contents © 2003. For more information about PISCO or to join Warner (UC Santa Barbara), Pete Raimondi (UC Santa Cruz), George Somero (Stanford the mailing list for future publications, please University), Bruce Menge (Oregon State University), Mark Denny (Stanford University), contact the consortium at the addresses listed Jane Lubchenco (Oregon State University), and Steve Gaines (UC Santa Barbara). on the back cover. PISCO Coastal Connections • Volume 2 Percentage of species whose geographic ranges end at each degree of latitude. Temperature data from June 2000 Biogeography of Marine Species ow does oceanography infl uence the geographic distributions of marine animals and plants along the U.S. West Coast? PISCO scientists Satie Airamé, Steve Gaines, H Dov Sax, and Ginny Eckert conducted a coastwide analysis of more than a thousand species of marine mammals, seabirds, fi sh, marine plants, and invertebrates. Despite tremendous variety in lifestyles and habitat requirements, the animals and plants displayed consistent patterns of distribution. The graph above shows the percentage of species whose ranges end at each degree of latitude. Many reach their northern and southern limits at particular places, such as Vancouver Island and Point Conception, where major currents meet or change direction. These places represent distinct boundaries between biogeographic regions. The complex, large-scale connections between ecology and oceanography revealed in this study pose challenges for conservation and management. patterns OF change Variation in Keystone Predation The ochre sea star ranges widely along the West Coast, where it preys on mussels, barnacles, and other invertebrates. As a keystone predator, it helps determine the diversity of species at a site by eating dominant prey, which would otherwise overgrow and eliminate other species. However, studies show that the ochre sea star may have a strong influence in some places and little or no effect in others. Because keystone predators can be important in maintaining biodiversity in many different ecosystems, understanding this variability could help inform conservation and management practices. To address this issue, PISCO scientists are conducting an unprecedented array of field experiments at 14 sites that span thousands of kilometers in Oregon and California. The research program reveals that keystone predation varies considerably from weak to strong among the sites (below). In Oregon, where the ochre sea star is a very effective keystone predator, a plentiful supply of young mussels and barnacles arrive to replenish the prey populations, and phytoplankton—food for these filter-feeding prey—are abundant. In California, despite fewer prey for sea stars, strong keystone predation occurs at some sites. This suggests that local abundance of sea stars is the key factor there. Researchers prepare mussel tissue for RNA:DNA analysis. Consequently, processes operating at both local and regional scales help determine the impact of this keystone predator. RNA Indicates Growth Rates PISCO scientists have developed techniques to monitor the health and growth rate of animals by examining the ratio of RNA to DNA in muscle. A high ratio indicates a fast growth rate. Using these techniques, PISCO research fellow Elizabeth Dahlhoff found that despite scarce phytoplankton to eat, mussels in 3 southern California grew almost as fast as mussels along Oregon’s food-rich central coast. Further sampling indicated that an alternative food—particles of decaying plant matter—actually was the primary sustenance for southern California mussels. However, conditions also are warmer south of Point Conception, and the warmth might accelerate metabolic rates. This stepping up of metabolism allows more growth per amount of RNA. Dahlhoff’s findings emphasize that use of physiological indicators must take temperature into account. Students in PISCO’s training courses learn to use the RNA:DNA ratio as part of their repertoire for interdisciplinary research. Ochre sea star eating California mussel. PISCO Coastal Connections • Volume 2 Detailed Mapping Reveals Changes In collaboration with researchers at the U.S. Minerals Management Service, Pete Raimondi and other PISCO scientists are conducting detailed mapping of invertebrates, seaweeds, and topography at close to one hundred sites from Washington to Baja California, Mexico. By monitoring these sites for many years and using the same techniques, the scientists will be able to detect ecological shifts within sites and along much of the West Coast. This research is designed to reveal long-term infl uences of such factors as climate change and El Niño. Many ecological patterns emerge from the data. For example, the three-dimen- sional maps below show where fi ve selected species (or groups of related species) live on the rocky shorelines at two sites in northern California. Many other species also inhabit these sites. The overall number of species is one-third greater at Shelter Cove than at Kibesillah Hill. One reason is that Shelter Cove is much more topographically complex, providing varied habitats. As indicated on these maps, the sites differ in their dominant species. At Shelter Cove, two erect red algae—Endocladia and Mazzaella—are most common, while coral- line algae, mussels, and surf grass dominate the shore at Kibesillah Hill. By surveying many sites in detail, PISCO scientists will be able to go beyond simple descriptions of patterns of diversity. They will isolate how various habitat features and ecological processes determine the makeup of natural communi- Sampling sites for detailed mapping surveys. ties. This information is vital for conservation planning and has many implica- tions for ocean policy and management. 4 Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans PISCO Coastal Connections • Volume 2 patterns of change Not all reefs are alike. PISCO scientists have found that distinctive assem- Species