Trained as an ichthyologist, Prof. Pondella's major research focus is the rocky reefs and kelp beds in the Southern California Bight where he works on a number of programs including marine protected areas, fisheries, artificial reef technology and subtidal restoration.
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Research Description
Dan鈥檚 research focuses on marine fishes as biological models for the evaluation and solutions for a variety of coastal challenges. He focuses on applied techniques including fisheries management, enhancement and restoration that are used to improve overall ecosystem health. His research focuses on spatial scales studies in the Southern California Bight. In addition, he works on the longest time series studies of rocky-reef fishes in the world and is an expert in monitoring design and evaluation.
Students learn:
- Scientific Diving
- Data Base Management
- Ecological Statistics and Modelling
- Ichthyoplankton Surveys
- Water and Sediment Quality Field and Laboratory Techniques
- Softbottom, Bay and Estuary Fishery Surveys.
- Museum Science
Courses
Biology of Marine Fishes (Bio 356)
Museum Science (Bio 310)
Biological Oceanography (Bio 369)
Senior Comprehensives (Bio 490)
Student Research Opportunities
I鈥檓 always looking for new students to participate in my lab. And, my research students are not limited to Biology Majors.
Select Publications
Pondella, D.J.,J.T. Claisse, C.M. Williams, J.P. Williams, and D. Witting. 2025.Palos Verdes Reef: A test of artificial reef design criteria to increase regional fish production in southern California. Bulletin of Marine Science, 101(4):1827-1846.
Spiecker, B., M.H. Carr, D.P. Malone, A. Parsons-Field, K. Koehn, D.J. Pondella and J.E. Caselle. 2025. Measuring biological effectiveness across a very large, coherent network of coastal marine protected areas. Ecological Applications. 35:e70074.
Jarvis Mason, E.T., T.V Riecke, L.F. Bellquist, D.J. Pondella II, B.X. Semmens. 2024. Recruitment limitation increases susceptibility to fishing-induced collapse in a spawning aggregation fishery. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 738:203-334.
Pondella II, D. J., J. T. Claisse, and C. M. Williams. 2022. Theory, practice, and design criteria for utilizing artificial reefs to increase production of marine fishes. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:983252.
Williams, J.P., C.M. Williams, D.J. Pondella II and Z.M. Scholz. 2022. Rebirth of a reef: As-built description and rapid returns from the Palos Verdes Reef Restoration Project. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:1010303.
Williams, C.M., J.L. Eagleton, D.J. Pondella II and J.T. Claisse. 2022. Habitat type and environmental conditions influence the age and growth of a temperate marine damselfish. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:988158.