Ocean Science Associate
Marine
v.r.saccomanno@TNC.ORG
Vienna provides scientific leadership to the Oceans Program of The Nature Conservancy’s California Chapter using her technical background in data science, spatial analysis, and marine ecology. She leads remote sensing efforts to map and monitor kelp forest health, including state-of-the-art drone surveys of kelp canopy on the north coast of California. An author on the IUCN Red List assessment of the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), she co-leads the international Pycnopodia Recovery Working group that seeks to streamline efforts to recover this Critically Endangered species. She is also the co-lead of the Conservancy’s Earth Observation working group.
Prior to joining TNC, Vienna worked for Marine Conservation Institute in Seattle, WA where she focused on the science and implementation of marine protected areas. She received her Bachelor of Science and Arts degrees in Biology and International Political Economy from University of Puget Sound and her Master’s degree in Environmental Science andManagement from UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School.
What Vienna is working on now:
Vienna is currently investigating the feasibility of using computer vision to advance marine wildlife monitoring of whales and other marine mammals in very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, as well as migratory seabirds in VHR drone imagery.
Vienna R. Saccomanno, Tom Bell, Camille Pawlak, Charlotte K. Stanley, Katherine C. Cavanaugh, Rietta Hohman, Kirk R. Klausmeyer, Kyle Cavanaugh, Abby Nickels, Waz Hewerdine, Corey Garza, Gary Fleener, Mary Gleason
Kelp forests are complex underwater habitats that provide valuable services for both people and nature. Despite their importance, increasingly severe stressors have resulted in declines in kelp…
Roland Geyer, Jenna Gavigan, Alexis M. Jackson, Vienna R. Saccomanno, Sangwon Suh, Mary G. Gleason
Synthetic microfibers are the most prevalent type of microplastic and apparel washing is a major source of microfiber pollution. Using California as a case study to estimate the magnitude of…
S. L. Hamilton, V. R. Saccomanno, W. N. Heady, A. L. Gehman, S. I. Lonhart, R. Beas-Luna, F. T. Francis, L. Lee, L. Rogers-Bennett, A. K. Salomon and S. A. Gravem
The sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) is an important mesopredator in kelp forest ecosystems that was devastated by the outbreak of sea star wasting disease (SSWD). This study quantifies…
Mary G. Gleason, Jennifer E. Caselle, Walter N. Heady, Vienna R. Saccomanno, Julie Zimmerman, Tristin Anoush McHugh, Norah Eddy
Global kelp forests are biodiverse and productive nearshore ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecosystem services, but they are at risk from both local stressors and global drivers of kelp loss.…
Lyall Bellquist, Vienna Saccomanno, Brice X. Semmens, Mary Gleason, Jono Wilson
The health of ocean ecosystems is critical to maintaining natural biodiversity and sustainable fisheries, but federally-declared fishery disasters are reflecting devastating impacts to ecosystems,…