Phenology is the study of recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, or phenophases, such as leafing and flowering of plants, maturation of agricultural crops, emergence of insects, and migration of birds. Many of these events are sensitive to climatic variation and change, and are simple to observe and record.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of manmade chemicals. They are oily liquids or solids, clear to yellow in color, with no smell or taste. PCBs are very stable mixtures that are resistant to extreme temperature and pressure.
The Southern California Bight (SCB) is a coastal region of unique oceanographic conditions, marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The Southern California Bight extends from Point Conception in Southern California to Cabo Colonett and Bahia de San Quintin in Baja California. In the region of the Bight there are nearly twenty million U.S. residents who live in its vicinity.