Biology OverviewTeamsProjectsPublicationsLatest NewsData MBARI scientists explore and observe life in a dynamic ocean—from the surface to the deep seafloor—to create a more accurate picture of ecosystem health. Identifying and tracking ocean life over time and space helps us understand how organisms are connected and how marine communities may respond to change. MBARI’s work to understand marine life is more urgent than ever as organisms face a growing number of threats, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. We strive to provide data and observations about biological processes that can inform better ocean stewardship. These teams and projects are focused on studying the life that thrives in the largest habitat on the planet—the deep ocean. Read More Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Teams All Teams Acoustical Ocean Ecology Team Acoustical Ocean Ecology The Acoustical Ocean Ecology Group uses active acoustics, or sonar, to investigate how animals respond to constantly changing environments. 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. SURF Center Team SURF Center The SURF Center (Sensors: Underwater Research of the Future) develops and deploys instruments that can autonomously collect and process water samples. 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 Team Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings. Detecting Episodic Export Events Team Detecting Episodic Export Events Ecology of Marine Snow Team Ecology of Marine Snow Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Team Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Integrating passive acoustic monitoring of baleen whales with other methods of observing whales, their environment, and their prey. Open Acoustic Data Team Open Acoustic Data Enabling global open access to MBARI’s passive acoustic monitoring data and associated analysis tools, through a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Team 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 Team 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). Large-scale climate variability and impacts on biology Team Large-scale climate variability and impacts on biology Utilizing global satellite products to study global physical and biological variability from interannual to decadal scales, and the processes connecting them. Integrated View of Surface-to-Seafloor Biological Communities Team 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. Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience. Biological response to upwelling in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems Team Biological response to upwelling in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems Developing satellite-based products to investigate what drives biological productivity in productive upwelling systems around the world—from phytoplankton to ecosystems. Vertical Migration Studies Team 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. Behavior Studies Team 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. Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California. Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Midwater Time Series Team Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer. Acoustic Fingerprinting Team Acoustic Fingerprinting Matching acoustic signatures to animals by cataloging the signatures of organisms like fish, squid, and gelatinous creatures. Coral Reef Metabolism Team Coral Reef Metabolism Developing autonomous systems to measure coral reef metabolism. Lost Shipping Container Studies Team Lost Shipping Container Studies An estimated 10,000 shipping containers fall from ships each year, ultimately sinking to the seafloor where their ecological effects are largely unknown. Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Team Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Focusing on how marine animals will respond to shifting ocean conditions caused by climate change and other human activities. Acoustic Community Ecology Team 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 Innovative camera system provides a closer look at elusive ocean predators News 02.13.24 News Scientists solve mystery of why thousands of octopus migrate to deep-sea thermal springs Press Release 08.23.23 News Integrating unique long-term datasets reveals how upwelling affects marine life from the surface to deep seafloor News 03.28.23 Technologies All Technologies Sorry, no results were found. Data All Data Data Bioinspiration Lab Data Data Ocean Acidification 1 (OA1) Mooring Data from the OA1 mooring, located just offshore of Hopkins Marine Station and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Data Deep-Sea Guide The Deep-Sea Guide provides access to the MBARI’s database of millions of records of deep-sea animals, seafloor habitats, geological features, and research tools
Acoustical Ocean Ecology Team Acoustical Ocean Ecology The Acoustical Ocean Ecology Group uses active acoustics, or sonar, to investigate how animals respond to constantly changing environments.
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.
SURF Center Team SURF Center The SURF Center (Sensors: Underwater Research of the Future) develops and deploys instruments that can autonomously collect and process water samples.
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 Team Piscivore MBARI’s Piscivore camera system uses underwater robots to observe ocean predators and their dynamic surroundings.
Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Team Baleen Whale Behavioral Ecology Integrating passive acoustic monitoring of baleen whales with other methods of observing whales, their environment, and their prey.
Open Acoustic Data Team Open Acoustic Data Enabling global open access to MBARI’s passive acoustic monitoring data and associated analysis tools, through a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Community Studies Team 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 Team 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).
Large-scale climate variability and impacts on biology Team Large-scale climate variability and impacts on biology Utilizing global satellite products to study global physical and biological variability from interannual to decadal scales, and the processes connecting them.
Integrated View of Surface-to-Seafloor Biological Communities Team 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.
Age and Growth Studies Team Age and Growth Studies Studying the pace of life of deep-sea animals to better understand their recovery rates and resilience.
Biological response to upwelling in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems Team Biological response to upwelling in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems Developing satellite-based products to investigate what drives biological productivity in productive upwelling systems around the world—from phytoplankton to ecosystems.
Vertical Migration Studies Team 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.
Behavior Studies Team 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.
Food Web Dynamics Team Food Web Dynamics Explaining the complex structure and functioning of the deep-sea food web off Central California.
Respiration Studies Team Respiration Studies Investigating the ecological effects of Central California’s expanding oxygen minimum zone (OMZ).
Midwater Time Series Team Midwater Time Series Providing specific data to investigate the natural and climate-change-caused variability of oceanic communities at depths below the mixed layer.
Acoustic Fingerprinting Team Acoustic Fingerprinting Matching acoustic signatures to animals by cataloging the signatures of organisms like fish, squid, and gelatinous creatures.
Coral Reef Metabolism Team Coral Reef Metabolism Developing autonomous systems to measure coral reef metabolism.
Lost Shipping Container Studies Team Lost Shipping Container Studies An estimated 10,000 shipping containers fall from ships each year, ultimately sinking to the seafloor where their ecological effects are largely unknown.
Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Team Understanding the Effects of a Changing Ocean Focusing on how marine animals will respond to shifting ocean conditions caused by climate change and other human activities.
Acoustic Community Ecology Team 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 Scientists solve mystery of why thousands of octopus migrate to deep-sea thermal springs Press Release 08.23.23
News Integrating unique long-term datasets reveals how upwelling affects marine life from the surface to deep seafloor News 03.28.23
Data Ocean Acidification 1 (OA1) Mooring Data from the OA1 mooring, located just offshore of Hopkins Marine Station and the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Data Deep-Sea Guide The Deep-Sea Guide provides access to the MBARI’s database of millions of records of deep-sea animals, seafloor habitats, geological features, and research tools