Northern CA PPSR Projects 1

Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Project

• Organization Name

  LiMPETS (Long-term Monitoring Program and Experiential Training for Students)
• Project Website

  http://limpetsmonitoring.org/rocky_intertidal.php
• Organization Website

  http://limpetsmonitoring.org/
• Partners

  California’s National Marine Sanctuaries, Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, Marine Science Institute at UC Santa Barbara, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
• Contact Name

  N / A
• Contact Email

  N / A
• Contact Phone

  N / A
• Other Contact Information

  Since there multiple National Marine Sanctuary's go to this website to find the appropriate contact person. http://limpetsmonitoring.org/contact.php

• Project Purpose (taken from project materials)

  Collect baseline data on intertidal zone condition in order to follow changes over time and better understand impacts of  human activities and climate change; provide students with the opportunity to experience the scientific process firsthand; increase awareness and stewardship of National Marine Sanctuaries.

• Participant Activities

  Participants will identify algae and invertebrates and practice the monitoring methods used in the field. Measurement of size and number of various invertebrates and types of algae will be taken. Other methods used include: Vertical transect, random quadrant, total counts.

  After data is collected, participants enter data online.

  Participants also work in classes or groups to develop research questions and use the online graphing tools to analyze results.

• Data Entry

  • Website
  • Collection Kits
  • Data Sheets
• Other Participant Activities

  Some participants attend scientific meetings, others create informational kiosks or lead community tidepool walks; Workshops for teachers.

• System Studied

  • Invertebrates
  • Climate Change
  • Intertidal zone
  • Other (see Notes)
• Geographic Scope

  Regional
• Region

  Northern California
• Location

  Multiple sites along the Northern California coast
• Location - Map

  Monterey Bay, Gulf of the Farallones and Channel Islands
• Time Commitment

  • Other (see Other Information below)
• Volunteer Qualifications

  Most participants are of High School age and have an adult group leader.

  There are some tools involved. These can be purchased for about $250 or in most cases you can make your own.  Also, some may be borrowed from the LiMPETS coordinator.

  Before beginning monitoring:

  1. Training: Teachers or group leaders complete a training by the local LiMPETS coordinator.
  2. Preparation: Everyone should learn to correctly identify algae and invertebrates and practice the monitoring methods used in the field.
  3. Monitoring: It is recommend that you explore your monitoring site and practice the monitoring techniques at least once before monitoring begins.
• Volunteer Training

  Training: Teachers or group leaders complete a training by the local LiMPETS coordinator. You must contact the local coordinator for dates and times of training.

• Cost to Participant

  There are minimal fees for training of leaders.
  
  Time Commitment: A significant commitment by the teacher or adult leader is necessary to coordinate this project. Preparation is key! Learning to correctly identify rocky intertidal algae and invertebrates can take time, but for the science geeks in your group, this is the best part. 

• How will the findings be used?

  Participants will be able to view data online through the LiMPETS online database. It is also available to the general public to view as well.

  Trend analysis is the most obvious use of the data.

  Sharing your results is important too! Some participants attend scientific meetings, others create informational kiosks.

• Other Information

  The LiMPETS network is a collaborative effort among California’s National Marine Sanctuaries, Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, Marine Science Institute at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

• Photo

  
• last update:

  N / A