HR: 1330h
AN: ED42A-1197    [PDF]
TI: Sustainable Seas Student Intertidal Monitoring Project at Duxbury Reef in Bolinas, CA
AU: * Soave, K
EM: soave@microweb.com
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AU: Saltzman, J
EM: jsaltzman@farallones.org
AF: Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, The Presidio PO Box 29386, San Francisco, CA 94129 United States
AU: Begley, H
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AU: Bassett, H
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AU: Hester, M
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AU: Mann, L
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AU: Scott, J
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AU: Ulrich, T
AF: The Branson School, 39 Fernhill Rd, Ross, CA 94957 United States
AB: The Sustainable Seas Student Monitoring Project at the Branson School in Ross, CA has monitored Duxbury Reef in Bolinas, CA since 1999. In cooperation with the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, goals include: 1) To monitor the rocky intertidal habitat and develop a baseline database of density and abundance; 2) To contribute to the conservation of the rocky intertidal habitat through education of students and visitors about intertidal species and requirements for maintaining a healthy, diverse intertidal ecosystem; and 3) To increase stewardship in the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Student volunteers complete an intensive 22 hour training course on the natural history of intertidal invertebrates and algae, identification of key species, rocky intertidal ecology, interpretation and monitoring techniques, and history of the sanctuary. Students conduct four baseline monitoring surveys three times per year (fall, winter, and late spring) to identify and count key invertebrate and algae species. During 2000-2002, the density of black turban snails, Tegula funebralis, is lowest in the high intertidal zones in winter yet has little seasonal variability in the mid intertidal zones. Most algae species had consistently higher percent cover in the northern transects than the more accessible southern transects. To test the reliability of the student counts, replicate counts of all species were performed. Replicate counts for invertebrate species within the same quadrat along the permanent transects revealed a very small amount of variability, giving us confidence that our monitoring program can provide reliable data. Student volunteers helped to design and install a rocky intertidal information kiosk to greet visitors at the entrance of Duxbury Reef. The kiosk includes pictures and natural history information on key intertidal species as well as tidepooling etiquette. Students lead an annual celebration at Duxbury Reef and lead intertidal walks for the public.
DE: 0400 Biogeosciences
DE: 4815 Ecosystems, structure and dynamics
DE: 6605 Education
DE: 9355 Pacific Ocean
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting