The California Current Ecosystem LTER is part of the network of Long-Term Ecological Research sites funded by the National Science Foundation.
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
P2510 research cruise now underway!
On October 18th, CCE LTER scientists departed on our latest process cruise aboard the R.V. Atlantis (Lead-PI Kathy Barbeau, pictured). Our group of 30 scientists, students and volunteers will spend the next month taking measurements and conducting experiments at sea to document the effects of climate variability on the California CurrentRead more.
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.
CCE Forum held and new logo presented on 19 September!
The debut of our new CCE LTER logo was made at the start of the Fall Forum, held on 19 September 2025. Topics discussed were preliminary results from the Process cruise P2402, and further planning for the upcoming P2510 cruise on the R/V Atlantis (18 Oct – 17 Nov).
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.
A new method has been developed for analyzing satellite data to better predict the export of carbon
MBARI researchers (along with CCE co-Lead PI, Mike Stukel) have developed a new method for tracking ocean carbon from space, recently highlighted in the LTER Network News. Read about it here!