A nationwide research organization that studies the potential effectsof global climate change on animal populations in the sea has placedits headquarters at UC Davis. GLOBEC -- Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics -- is a research initiative that involves scientists at approximately 15 institutions throughout the United States. Researchers focus on studies of the basic mechanisms that influence the abundance of animal populations in the oceans and how those creatures will be affected by long-term global climate changes. Coordinating the group is Thomas M. Powell, a professor of environmental studies at UC Davis and chair of the U.S. GLOBEC scientific steering committee. UC Davis, which administers the Bodega Marine Laboratory, has a strong core of researchers in marine studies, according to Powell. In particular, the campus is nationally recognized for its population biology research and scientists involved with quantitative modelling in ecology. "The location of the U.S. GLOBEC administrative offices at UC Davis will allow the campus to apply its strengths in ways that have not been done previously," says Powell. GLOBEC has an annual research budget of $4 million to support research nationwide.