What is CCE-LTER?

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The California Current Ecosystem LTER is part of the network of Long-Term Ecological Research sites funded by the National Science Foundation.

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The California Current System is a coastal upwelling biome, as found along the eastern margins of all major ocean basins. These are among the most productive  ecosystems in the world ocean. The California Current Ecosystem LTER (32.9°, -120.3°) is investigating nonlinear transitions in the California Current coastal pelagic ecosystem, with particular attention to long-term forcing by a secular warming trend, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and El Niño in altering the structure and dynamics of the pelagic ecosystem. The California Current sustains active fisheries for a variety of finfish and marine invertebrates, modulates weather patterns and the hydrologic cycle of much of the western United States, and plays a vital role in the economy of myriad coastal communities.

 

CCE News and Announcements

Latest Posts

CCE REUs complete summer 2025 research!

CCE hosted six REUs (Research Experience for Undergraduates) over 10-12 weeks this summer in various labs at SIO. They gained invaluable tools and knowledge to carry out their individual projects, mentored by CCE scientists and Grad students. Final presentations were given on 12 September (hybrid meeting), and wowed everyone listening!Read more.

Pelagic Synthesis Group Meeting Held

CCE LTER scientists Mike Stukel, Kathy Barbeau, Mark Ohman and Vivian Hou recently participated in a pelagic synthesis group meeting at the LTER Network Office in Santa Barbara, CA. Participants from CCE, NGA, NES, and PAL LTER sites discussed manuscripts in preparation related to size spectra, trophic amplification, and the doubleRead more.

LTER site exchange fellows announced for 2025

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The LTER Network Office recently announced it will fund four site exchange fellowships in 2025. CCE LTER will host a Graduate student (Alexandra Cabanelas Bermudez) from the NES LTER site, and will also send Graduate student (Margaret “Maggie” Baker) to the NGA LTER site. Read all about it here!