Biodiversity OverviewTeamsProjectsPublicationsLatest News Marine biodiversity is a measure of the abundance of individuals and species in the ocean.This interconnected mosaic of organisms—from the smallest plankton to the largest whales—supports food webs, produces the air we breathe, and regulates our climate. Measuring biodiversity is essential to monitoring ecosystem health.MBARI is leading efforts to build capacity for ocean monitoring and share information that will enhance our ability to make informed coastal management decisions. Our science, engineering, and marine operations teams work together to explore the ocean and build innovative tools that allow us to better understand and protect our blue planet and the millions of species that call it home.These teams and projects are transforming our understanding of a changing ocean and revealing the dazzling diversity of life that thrives beneath the ocean’s surface. Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Teams All Teams Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals. Biological Oceanography Group Team Biological Oceanography Group The Biological Oceanography Team studies how life in the sea responds to climate change. We advance the field by improving methods to detect, observe, and understand variations of marine flora and fauna. Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate. Bioinspiration Lab Team Bioinspiration Lab The Bioinspiration Lab brings the ocean into the lab, and the lab into the ocean, by developing advanced imaging systems and algorithms to study marine life. Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat. Biodiversity and Biooptics Team Biodiversity and Biooptics Gelatinous predators such as ctenophores, siphonophores, and hydromedusae display dazzling body forms and behaviors, and provide surprising linkages across the oceanic food web. Ocean Soundscape Team Ocean Soundscape Exploring natural and anthropogenic sound in the ocean to advance marine ecology and inform stewardship of the sea. Data Integration and Interdisciplinary Oceanography Team Data Integration and Interdisciplinary Oceanography This team is generating new knowledge in oceanography through data integration, statistical analysis, and mathematical representation of physical/biological processes. Projects All Projects Piscivore Project Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings. Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Project Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Integrating passive acoustic monitoring of baleen whales with other methods of observing whales, their environment, and their prey. Blue Whale Observatory Project Blue Whale Observatory Exploring the behavioral ecology of Earth’s largest animal species—the blue whale—and the krill that sustain them. Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Project Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Studies of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems at Sur Ridge and Davidson Seamount focus on oceanographic and biological factors influencing their diversity and abundance. Octopus Garden Project Octopus Garden MBARI research and technology have revealed that thermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are an important nursery for the deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus). Integrated View of Surface-to-Seafloor Biological Communities Project Integrated View of Surface-to-Seafloor Biological Communities Integrating time series of surface, midwater, and benthic communities to identify processes connecting them with each other and with environmental variability. Midwater Time Series Project Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer. Respiration Studies Project Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Food Web Dynamics Project Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California. Behavior Studies Project Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time. Vertical Migration Studies Project Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon. Age and Growth Studies Project Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience. Soundscape Listening Room Project Soundscape Listening Room Access a live stream and a library of sounds recorded using a hydrophone (underwater microphone) off the Central California coast. Acoustic Fingerprinting Project Acoustic Fingerprinting Matching acoustic signatures to animals by cataloging the signatures of organisms like fish, squid, and gelatinous creatures. Acoustic Community Ecology Project Acoustic Community Ecology Acoustical analysis of different layers of animals in our ocean. Publications All Publications Matsumoto, G.I., L.M. Christianson, B.H. Robison, S.H.D. Haddock, and S.B. Johnson. 2022. Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A new species of coronate Scyphozoan found in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Animals, 12: 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060742 Latest News All News News Scientists discover a new species of deep-sea crown jelly in Monterey Bay News 04.19.22 News Special issue of Oceanography highlights the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network News 12.07.21 News Genetic probes give new clues about the stunning diversity of comb jellies News 08.31.21 Technologies All Technologies Sorry, no results were found. Data All Data Data Bioinspiration Lab Data
Benthic Biology and Ecology Team Benthic Biology and Ecology The Benthic Biology Team studies the diversity of life on the seafloor, from exploring deep-sea habitats to measuring the effect of ocean change on the lives of marine animals.
Biological Oceanography Group Team Biological Oceanography Group The Biological Oceanography Team studies how life in the sea responds to climate change. We advance the field by improving methods to detect, observe, and understand variations of marine flora and fauna.
Carbon Flux Ecology Team Carbon Flux Ecology The Carbon Flux Ecology Team resolves the biology and ecology of sinking particles to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating the carbon cycle and climate.
Bioinspiration Lab Team Bioinspiration Lab The Bioinspiration Lab brings the ocean into the lab, and the lab into the ocean, by developing advanced imaging systems and algorithms to study marine life.
Midwater Ecology Team Midwater Ecology The Midwater Ecology Team studies the animals of the oceanic water column directly, using undersea vehicles to carry cameras, instruments, tools, and samplers into their deep habitat.
Biodiversity and Biooptics Team Biodiversity and Biooptics Gelatinous predators such as ctenophores, siphonophores, and hydromedusae display dazzling body forms and behaviors, and provide surprising linkages across the oceanic food web.
Ocean Soundscape Team Ocean Soundscape Exploring natural and anthropogenic sound in the ocean to advance marine ecology and inform stewardship of the sea.
Data Integration and Interdisciplinary Oceanography Team Data Integration and Interdisciplinary Oceanography This team is generating new knowledge in oceanography through data integration, statistical analysis, and mathematical representation of physical/biological processes.
Piscivore Project Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings.
Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Project Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Integrating passive acoustic monitoring of baleen whales with other methods of observing whales, their environment, and their prey.
Blue Whale Observatory Project Blue Whale Observatory Exploring the behavioral ecology of Earth’s largest animal species—the blue whale—and the krill that sustain them.
Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Project Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Studies of deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems at Sur Ridge and Davidson Seamount focus on oceanographic and biological factors influencing their diversity and abundance.
Octopus Garden Project Octopus Garden MBARI research and technology have revealed that thermal springs at the base of Davidson Seamount are an important nursery for the deep-sea pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus).
Integrated View of Surface-to-Seafloor Biological Communities Project Integrated View of Surface-to-Seafloor Biological Communities Integrating time series of surface, midwater, and benthic communities to identify processes connecting them with each other and with environmental variability.
Midwater Time Series Project Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer.
Respiration Studies Project Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ).
Food Web Dynamics Project Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California.
Behavior Studies Project Behavior Studies Behavior patterns of deep-sea animals have long been a subject of mystery and speculation. Because of access provided by MBARI’s ROVs, detailed observations of the behavior of these animals have become possible for the first time.
Vertical Migration Studies Project Vertical Migration Studies Vertically migrating animals comprise a large and active component of the ocean’s biological pump, and when compared with passively sinking detritus, the vertical migrators contribute significantly to the overall flux of particulate organic carbon.
Age and Growth Studies Project Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience.
Soundscape Listening Room Project Soundscape Listening Room Access a live stream and a library of sounds recorded using a hydrophone (underwater microphone) off the Central California coast.
Acoustic Fingerprinting Project Acoustic Fingerprinting Matching acoustic signatures to animals by cataloging the signatures of organisms like fish, squid, and gelatinous creatures.
Acoustic Community Ecology Project Acoustic Community Ecology Acoustical analysis of different layers of animals in our ocean.
Matsumoto, G.I., L.M. Christianson, B.H. Robison, S.H.D. Haddock, and S.B. Johnson. 2022. Atolla reynoldsi sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa, Coronatae, Atollidae): A new species of coronate Scyphozoan found in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Animals, 12: 1–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060742
News Special issue of Oceanography highlights the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network News 12.07.21