Marine Vital Signs Monitoring in Baja California:
Effective stewardship of this unique marine ecosystem

A stressed ecosystem

The unique near shore marine ecosystem at the land-sea interface between Tijuana and San Quintín absorbs and responds to inputs and impacts from the uplands and coastal ocean. This part of Baja California's Pacific coast is a biological hotspot for marine diversity, yet has experienced accelerated population growth and industrial development since the 1950s. Our understanding of how the components of this ecosystem have changed over time is limited; while we can name the parts of the ecosystem, we cannot yet describe in detail how these parts are interrelated, and how they respond to perturbation. Such an understanding of how the ecosystem functions and responds to change – natural or anthropogenic – is critical to stewarding the region for long-term sustainability and health.

Understanding this special place

In order to advance stewardship of this important marine region, we are launching a "Vital Signs" monitoring program for the Tijuana - San Quintín near shore marine ecosystem. "Vital Signs" are selected biological, chemical and physical elements and processes of the marine ecosystem that indicate the overall health and condition of the region andknown or hypothesized effects of stressors. Implementation of a Vital Signs program for this part of Baja California's coast will identify critical gaps in our understanding and knowledge of this ecosystem, and will facilitate a coordinated and cooperative marine ecosystem health research effort involving the public and private sectors.

Effective collaboration

The SeaDoc Society provides objective science and strategic planning on issues concerning marine wildlife and ecosystem health in an effort to inform and guide effective policy and management.  The Baja California Marine Vital Signs project is a cooperative effort of the SeaDoc Society, the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), and Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute. 

Program Activities

An invitation-only workshop, "Marine Vital Signs Monitoring in the Tijuana - San Quintín Coastal Corridor: Laying the Roadmap for a Cooperative Public-Private Conservation Partnership," was held March 30-31, 2006 in Tijuana, B.C.  The goals of the workshop were to obtain input and guidance on a draft conceptual ecosystem model and on the species, habitats, physical and chemical characteristics and processes that will serve as Vital Signs indicators for the health of this important marine region. A Workshop Report describing outcomes is now available.

You may download a draft of the conceptual ecosystem model here.
You may download a copy of baja California Marine Vital Signs Workshop Report here.

The SeaDoc Society is a 501(c) 3 organization (tax ID # 94-6036494) and the Vital Signs program is made possible by private funding.  To make a financial gift to the program or if you have questions, please contact Kirsten Gilardi, kvgilardi@ucdavis.edu.

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