Marine Vertebrate Biology Cluster Members Daniel Costa, professor of biology Donald Croll, assistant research biologist James Estes, Biological Resources Division of the U.S.G.S. and adjunct professor of biology and ocean sciences Grainger Hunt, research specialist Burney J. Le Boeuf, professor emeritus of biology Leo Ortiz, professor of biology Ronald Schusterman, research biologist and adjunct professor of ocean sciences Bernie Tershey, assistant research biologist Brian Walton, research specialist Terrie Williams , associate professor of biology Terrie Williams, associate professor of biology, studies environmental and execise physiology in marine and terrestrial animals. Oceanography and Ocean Processes Scientists in this group explore the oceans to gain deeper understandings of the chemical, physical, and biological parts. From Antarctica to the Monterey Bay, they travel on ships that cross the ocean surfaces and probe the midwater and deep sea. For humans, coastal seas are about the most important and vulnerable areas of the world oceans. We use these areas for food supplies, as much of the world's fish catch is taken from coastal waters and adjacent upwelling regions.
Phytoplankton are the first link in the ocean food chain.
This chain links marine fish, mammals, birds, and humans. As a result, phytoplankton blooms control a lot of what occurs in coastal ecosystems and especially Monterey Bay. Scientists think that natural cycles of when blooms occur and what kinds of phytoplankton are in the bloom are being altered on a global scale by human activities. These activities include introducing essential nutrients and toxic contaminants into the oceans, changing river flows, and moving marine plants and animals from port to port through ships' ballasts. Researchers in this cluster look at the big picture of Earth's marine and land history and past climates and environments.