Ocean observing systems for marine habitats

Habitats are defined by the distribution of species. Through more intensive observation of physical and chemical processes, biological observations can be placed in a context relevant to the senses and activities of individuals within species. There is a need for observations as comprehensive and continuous in time and space as are readily available on land. A Long-term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO-15) has been established off New Jersey to better understand fine-scale physical, chemical, and biological processes within a 10 km x 20 km area through an expanded range and intensity of measurements. On a broader scale, satellites and intensive surveys are providing a framework for the establishment of new sampling designs, networks of intensive LEO sites, and a more accurate understanding of dynamic biogeographic patterns.