IMS Newsfeed
January 26, 2023
Study reveals influence of krill availability on humpback whale pregnancies
January 23, 2023
Data from Antarctica show more humpback whales get pregnant after years with abundant krill than after years when krill were less plentiful.
Vulnerability of red sea urchins to climate change depends on location
January 20, 2023
Scientists found that red sea urchin populations are adapted to local environments, but some populations will suffer more than others as conditions change in the future.
Earth scientist James Zachos honored for climate change research
January 11, 2023
The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Climate Change category recognizes Zachos and fellow paleoclimatologist Ellen Thomas of Yale University.
Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age, study finds
December 26, 2022
By reconstructing the sea level history of the Bering Strait, scientists found that the strait remained flooded until around 35,700 years ago, not long before humans began migrating into the Americas.
Report provides guide to funding for coral reef restoration projects for risk reduction
December 12, 2022
The report from a multi-agency working group led by UCSC scientists supports communities seeking funding for projects to reduce flood risks by restoring coral reefs for storm hazard mitigation and climate adaptation.
Offshore wind farms may harm seabirds, but scientists see potential for net positive impact
November 17, 2022
A new study presents a framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds.
UCSC marine sciences professor to lead new Center for Coastal Climate Resilience
November 14, 2022
Longtime UC Santa Cruz marine sciences professor Michael W. Beck is adding a new role to his resume: director of the campus’ recently announced Center for Coastal Climate Resilience.
UCSC researchers win NOAA grants to study climate change patterns in California's marine sanctuaries
November 9, 2022
Two UC Santa Cruz researchers will be delving deeper into coastal and climate resiliency efforts within California's marine sanctuaries as part of two recent grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Global analysis shows where fishing vessels turn off their identification devices
November 2, 2022
A new dataset of intentional disabling of Automatic Identification System devices by fishing vessels provides insights into illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity.
Biologist Daniel Costa receives Outstanding Faculty Award
October 28, 2022
Daniel Costa, distinguished professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, has received the 2021-22 Outstanding Faculty Award from the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.
Research to identify biological hotspots in the oceans will help reduce human impacts
October 19, 2022
A grant from the Office of Naval Research funds research using elephant seals to find marine hotspots while providing support for undergraduate researchers, an assessment of ethical considerations, and training to create inclusive environments for field research.
Two UCSC alumni win awards for excellence in science communication
October 13, 2022
Jessica Kendall-Bar and Rodrigo Pérez Ortega were winners in the National Academies’ inaugural Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication.
Ocean scientist Christina Ravelo awarded AGU’s Maurice Ewing Medal
October 3, 2022
The American Geophysical Union's Ewing Medal is given annually in recognition of significant original contributions to the ocean sciences .
UCSC partners in NSF research hub to use nature to protect coastal communities
September 7, 2022
A $20 million NSF grant funds the new Climate Risks and Equitable Nature-based Solutions Hub, focusing on coral reef and mangrove ecosystems.
With Pivot Fellowship, astronomer J. Xavier Prochaska turns to oceanography
September 7, 2022
A new program from the Simons Foundation supports successful researchers who have a deep interest, curiosity, and drive to make contributions to a new discipline.
‘Water’s Extreme Journey,’ a new exhibit at the Seymour Center, opens in September
August 22, 2022
A new exhibit opening in September at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center features a maze and interactive activities highlighting the challenges of keeping our water clean.
NOAA scholarship supports graduate student’s seabird conservation research
August 4, 2022
Aspen Ellis, a Ph.D. student in ecology and evolutionary biology, is one of seven students nationwide selected by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries to receive a 2022 Nancy Foster Scholarship.
Two UCSC grad students are finalists for prestigious Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships
August 4, 2022
The finalists for the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program include UCSC graduate students Austen Stovall and Ellen Willis‑Norton.
Data from elephant seals reveal new features of marine heatwave ‘the Blob’
July 28, 2022
Instruments carried by migrating elephant seals measured deep warm-water anomalies that lasted much longer than the surface warming.
Researchers track juvenile elephant seals for insights into mortality rates
July 19, 2022
An outreach program to bring science and scientists into K-12 classrooms is part of a study investigating the differences between male and female elephant seals.
Narwhals show physiological disruption in response to seismic survey ship noise
July 8, 2022
Scientists deployed monitoring devices on narwhals to record heart rates, breathing, and diving behavior during seismic air gun pulses from a ship in the fjords of Greenland.
Destruction and recovery of kelp forests driven by changes in sea urchin behavior
June 29, 2022
A long-term study of kelp forest dynamics on California’s Central Coast highlights the critical role of sea urchin behavior, not just the size of the urchin population.
Study finds chaos is more common in ecological systems than previously thought
June 27, 2022
The idea that chaos is rare in natural populations may be due to methodological and data limitations, rather than the inherent stability of ecosystems.
Reefense project aims to meld biology and engineering in novel structures for coastal protection
June 22, 2022
UCSC scientists are part of a DARPA-funded team to develop innovative solutions for coral reef restoration in Florida and the Caribbean to protect coastal infrastructure.
Study shows mangrove and reef restoration yield positive returns on investment for flood protection
June 17, 2022
A robust analysis demonstrates that nature-based solutions to reduce the damage caused by coastal flooding are cost-effective.
Students dip their toes into coastal science at Younger Lagoon
June 14, 2022
Ocean Sciences Professor Carl Lamborg uses Younger Lagoon Reserve to teach Field and Lab Methods in Aquatic and Coastal Science.
Hunting in darkness, elephant seals use sensitive whiskers to find prey
June 13, 2022
Researchers used miniature video cameras to study how free-ranging elephant seals use their whiskers to track down prey in the darkness of the deep ocean.
Free public beach tours of Younger Lagoon Reserve have resumed
June 1, 2022
Tours of the reserve, which were suspended due to COVID-19 precautions, are again being offered through UCSC’s Seymour Marine Discovery Center.
New global forecasts of marine heatwaves foretell ecological and economic impacts
April 20, 2022
The forecasts could help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves.
Kelp restoration project is finalist in LaunchPad pitch competition
April 14, 2022
Andrea Paz-Lacavex, a graduate student in UCSC’s Coastal Science & Policy Program, leads SPORA, a kelp restoration project in Baja California.
Annual Confronting Climate Change Conference focuses on local impacts and solutions
March 24, 2022
UC Santa Cruz offers a weekend of free events at the Seymour Center to spark conversation and inspire action.
