Mission
The Center for the Study of Biodiversity (CSB) serves as the unifying intellectual entity for all CSUN faculty, staff and students engaged in research that furthers our understanding of the causes, importance and protection of biological diversity in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The CSB's mission is to promote the protection of biological diversity through education, training, expertise, and research in ecology, evolution and systematics. Find recent news about people in the CSB here.
Goals of the CSB
- Promote undergraduate and graduate research and training in ecology, evolution, conservation, and systematics.
- Establish links and partnerships with colleagues, institutions, government agencies, and field stations to enhance scientific exchange for the preservation of biodiversity.
- Serve as a regional resource of scientific expertise for issues on biodiversity in southern California.
- Promote awareness within the Southern California region of the importance of biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources for the long-term health and well-being of human societies.
Student Research Spotlight
Stella Swanson’s research is on sea urchins on the coral reefs of Moorea, French Polynesia. By controlling the growth of macroalgae, a known competitor for space and sunlight with corals, certain species of sea urchins can maintain a healthy coral reef. There are five main species of sea urchins that live on Moorean reefs, and her research is focused on determining the relative importance of each for maintaining the coral reef. It appears that there is a gradation of importance in terms of herbivory. Those species belonging to the family Diadematidaceae seem to be the most influential, grazing heavily at distances of meters from their holes. Other species such as Echinometra mathaei and Echinostrephus aciculatus are largely confined in their influence to the area within and in close proximity to their burrows. This research has broader implications in the development of management plans, which will be important tools in protecting delicate coral reef ecosystems.