PISCO scientists collect biological, chemical, and physical data about ocean ecosystems in the nearshore portions of the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Our goals are to provide a well-managed, long-term archive of the many data collections and make those data widely accessible.
Because ecosystem data are diverse in their content and structure, the program strives to produce detailed documentation (metadata) to assist researchers in interpretation and analysis. Users can access to ecological and oceanographic data through different data access applications. Partnerships with Oregon State University, Data Observation Network for Earth (DataONE), and the Pacific Rocky Intertidal Monitoring program at UC Santa Cruz help to provide access platforms.
The interactive map and graphing tool allows customized displays of specific sites on a map. In addition, customized plots can be created for specific site/species combinations. PISCO data manager, Rani Gaddam, leads the development and continual enhancement of this application in close collaboration with UC Santa Cruz's Melissa Miner, Michael Frenock, and Pete Raimondi.
The map includes information from PISCO and MARINe (Multi-agency Rocky Intertidal Network) regular intertidal monitoring surveys as well as information from logs submitted by other researchers, divers, and the general public. Please note that we do not know what is causing Sea Star Wasting Syndrome, and the cause may be different in different regions. This map does not show long-term trends in abundances. Long-term trends in Pisaster ochraceus numbers at our monitored sites can be viewed by location here or by using our Interactive Map & Graphing Tool. For more information about sea star wasting visit the project page.
DATA COLLECTIONS FUNDED BY NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
When PISCO scientists collect data as part of projects funded by the National Science Foundation Division of Ocean Sciences, data are archived with the Foundation's Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office. These data include pH from sensors mounted in the rocky intertidal and on nearshore coastal moorings, organism responses to ocean acidification, and ecological data relevant to rockfish and seastar populations. Links to project descriptions, data, and metadata are available here.