This is Gump Station

Our mission is to advance the frontiers of biocomplexity science by providing operational, technological, and informational support for programs on Moorea

International scientists and students are invited to carry out programs at the Gump Station. While the focus is field-based scientific research, engineering, and advanced training, activities in all academic disciplines are welcome. Programs span levels of biocultural organization from genetics and organismal biology to ecology, anthropology, economics, and the social sciences. 

Our vision is to develop Moorea as a model system for understanding how physical, biological, and cultural processes interact to shape social-ecological systems

​To address the major challenges of the 21st century, scientists will increasingly attempt to synthesize complex systems at different scales. Moorea is one of the world's leading sites for coral reef research and the island is an ambitious but tractable scale for whole-system study. Furthermore, its archipelago setting allows comparison with other Polynesian islands sharing common biocultural ancestry (monophyletic) but differing in key parameters that affect vulnerability and resilience. Building model ecosystems for transformative science requires an unprecedented concentration of human capital and technological infrastructure. Focusing on tractable systems, such as Moorea, facilitates transdisciplinary science, enabling researchers to re-assemble the parts of a system - as studied by specialists - to understand the functioning of the whole. Such knowledge is vital for managing human interactions with natural systems to achieve prosperous and sustainable societies.

Located on Moorea (17º 32' S 149º 50' W), the Station stands at the entrance to Cook’s Bay, providing excellent access to the ocean, lagoon, and island interior. The University of California property occupies 14 hectares (35 acres) of land from the shore to 149m (489ft).

Surrounded by a well developed coral reef and lagoon system (12 reef passes), Moorea (132 sq Km) is a high (1207m), 1.2 million year old volcanic island with freshwater streams that flow year-round.

Tahiti and French Polynesia's capital Papeete is just 30 minutes from Moorea by car-ferry. Papeete provides for most logistical needs and is the hub for international air travel.

Researchers and classes find the Gump Station an excellent base for field studies. Marine scientists can work in a variety of habitats - mud and sand flats, sea grass beds, inner and outer coral reefs, algal ridges and deep oceanic waters - all easily accessible from the Station. Terrestrial and freshwater scientists study island biogeography, geomorphology, the biology of invasive species, and the ecology of insular plant and animal communities. Human scientists (ethnobiology, public health, sustainable development, sociology, environmental design, policy, anthropology and archeology) find a fascinating balance between traditional Polynesian society and the culture of more recent immigrants (particularly from Europe and China) as well as a wealth of archeological sites.

On property donated to the University of California, the Gump Station is administered by the Berkeley campus through its Vice Chancellor for Research. The Station's Executive Director, Neil Davies, is a UC Berkeley employee permanently based in Moorea. A faculty advisory board in California provides academic oversight and strategic guidance with members representing the Gump governing consortium.

Current board members include:

• UC Berkeley - Daniel Kammen (co-chair), George K. Roderick 
• UC Santa Barbara - Russell Schmitt (co-chair), Sally Holbrook
• UC Santa Cruz - Giacomo Bernardi
• UC Los Angeles - Peggy Fong
• UC Office of the President - Peggy Fiedler
• California State University Northridge - Robert Carpenter
• UC Davis - pending
• UC San Diego - pending

Previous board members:

• Stuart Sandin - UC San Diego SIO
• Jim Leichter - UC San Diego SIO
• Patrick Kirch - UC Berkeley
• Steven Beckwith - UC Office of the President
• Larry Smarr - UC San Diego
• Rosemary Gillespie - UC Berkeley
• Larry Coleman - UC Office of the President & UC Davis
• Victoria Sork - UC Los Angeles
• Robert Tjian - UC Berkeley

Funding

Gump Station operations are funded by its users (fees) and a consortium of institutions including (2019-2022): the University of California (Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Office of the President) and California State University Northridge (CSUN). Capital improvements and programs are supported by grants and the generous support of our donors.

Management

• Executive Director: Neil Davies

The Gump Station officially opened on March 9, 1985 and has since grown into one of the world's premier tropical research facilities