Santa Lucia Biodiversity Expedition

The Santa Lucia Escarpment Cruise aims to investigate the ecological and oceanographic processes driving high marine biodiversity in the Santa Lucia Escarpment, a proposed National Marine Sanctuary. Ten Scripps Institution of Oceanography students, led by Chief Scientist Grace Cawley, will embark on the R/V Sally Ride to collect physical, chemical, and biological samples. The research focuses on understanding bottom-up processes, including upwelling and nutrient dynamics, which support rich marine life from phytoplankton to top predators like seabirds and marine mammals. This study will provide crucial baseline data on primary productivity, zooplankton diversity, and predator-prey interactions, informing conservation efforts and the potential impacts of future developments, such as offshore wind energy installations. During the 11-day cruise, the team will conduct detailed surveys across nine stations, deploying various instruments and sampling methods. Key activities include continuous bow chain transects to measure high-resolution temperature structures, CTD casts to profile water masses and collect water samples for nutrient and chlorophyll analysis, and multiple zooplankton net tows. Additionally, visual and acoustic surveys of marine mammals and seabirds will be performed. This comprehensive approach will help elucidate the complex interactions within the Santa Lucia Escarpment ecosystem and enhance our understanding of its role within the CCE.