Ecology And Evolution
The Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute sits at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic worlds, where biodiversity is shaped by some of the most dynamic oceanographic processes on Earth. Our researchers explore the fundamental mechanisms that drive life in the sea—from the genetic blueprints of resilience to the complex dance of predator-prey interactions. By integrating work across the UC Davis campus and our coastal field sites, we seek to understand how marine organisms adapt, survive, and evolve in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
Our research programs bridge the gap between microscopic processes and macroscopic patterns. CMSI scientists utilize cutting-edge technology, including HF radar arrays, genomic sequencing, and ecomechanical modeling, to solve ecological puzzles across diverse habitats like seagrass beds, rocky intertidal zones, and the deep sea. Explore our specific areas of impact below:
Biodiversity and Community Ecology
Climate Change and Biological Invasions
Learn More:
PhD student Karolina Zabinski is studying the "invisible partners" — microbes — that help seagrass survive transplanting and heat waves.
Featured Story:
Seagrasses, specifically the species Zostera marina (or eelgrass), provide vital ecosystem services, such as nursery habitat for fish, sed