BETWEEN the TIDES

Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve September 2012

From the Editors: Recent activity centered around was completed in 2010, an unprecedented, decade-long, counting marine in the tidepools has prompted global inventory called the First Census of Marine Life us to make surveys the focus of this issue: what is being 2010. The resulting report of Census highlights is a counted, where the information is going, and what the brilliant, beautifully illustrated document. We hope the future plans are. And to give a global perspective, we articles printed here will be of interest and motivate you decided to review the accomplishments of a survey that to explore some of the websites we have listed.

Citizen Science at Pillar Point Reef: bringing scientists and volunteers together to document biodiversity by Alison Young

On June 5, 6, and 7, 2012, cars started pulling up in the Pillar Point parking lot just as dawn was breaking. People in rubber boots, clutching donuts and cups of coffee, introduced themselves to one another as this group walked out to the reef. Many of them were docents with Friends of Fitzgerald, others Beach Watch volunteers with Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, some were scientists. Everyone had a com- mon interest: the rocky intertidal. Despite the early morning, the mood was enthusiastic. What were all these people doing out there so early in the morning, three days in a row? Not only did the first week of June have some of the lowest tides of the year, but the California Academy of Sciences was con- ducting a “citizen science test case” by means of a survey of the reef’s biodiversity, and these people had volunteered to be the “citizen scientists.” Citizen science is an intersection of education and re- search. The definition varies depending on what source you’re looking at, but generally it applies to any research project where non-professional scientists are involved in some part of Citizen Scientists carefully exploring the reef the scientific process—often gathering data. Because the Cali- fornia Academy of Sciences is an institution with both a public education space and an active research division, we have a strong interest in citizen science; not only does it promote scientific literacy, but it can also further our research goals, especially those requiring that data be collected over a large geo- graphic area. continued on page 3 June 6 Quarterly Nudibranch Survey Friends of Julie Walters rounded up 9 volunteers at 7 a.m. to participate in the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve June 6, 2012, nudibranch count. Quarterly counts are usually conducted at FMR, but due to a recent San Mateo County review of policy this one was P.O. Box 669 held at the Pillar Point tidepools. Here is a brief summary of the findings: Moss Beach, CA 94038 Phone: 650.728.3584 106 individual nudibranchs The most commonly found were: www.fitzgeraldreserve.org 20 different species Dendronotus subramosa 29 Board of Directors: 2.5 hours of survey time Triopha catalinae 18 Bob Breen -1.9 tide Triopha maculata 15 Joseph Centoni Thanks to all who participated: Scott Snow, Dot Norris, Piming Lai, Susan Evans, Linda Ciotti Tom Ciotti, Karen Madsen, Kris Lannin, Jan Pelinka, and Sasha Greenawalt u Tom Ciotti, President Marsha Cohen Mary DeLong, Vice President Susan Evans Roger Hoppes Bill Kennedy Jenna Kinghorn Karen Madsen Dr. Tom Niesen Hope Suchsland, Treasurer Our Mission: Two Dendronotus subramosa, To inspire the preservation of our unique intertidal different colors environment through education and the support of research.

Newsletter Editors: Janet Pelinka Dendronotus subramosa, Sasha Greenawalt another view Consultant: Jenna Kinghorn Design and Production: Martie Sautter Sautter Graphics and Print Webmaster: Sandy Emerson

The graph displayed across the page bottoms shows tides The lowest tides this period are: for 9/18/12 to 01/05/13. Where the date appears is mid- night. The reefs are accessible for exploring during low -1.06 10/17 6:48 pm tides—at least 0 or below. See: http://fitzgeraldreserve.org/ -1.62 11/15 5.33 pm resources and click on “Tides” for a more detailed tide -1.78 12/13 4:31 pm chart. -1.45 1/11 4:17 pm Good summer tides are in the early morning. There are

almost equally low tides several days before and several days after the noted low tide dates.

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 +5 0 -2 Sept Oct 2 www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 Citizen Science from page 1

This year the Academy redefined its ver- • The nudibranch Han- sion of citizen science. We wanted any projects cockia californica was we undertook to have an overall theme, and we found, previously decided to focus on California biodiversity. It recorded only one other is also important to us to have our citizen sci- time at Pillar Point. ence projects tied to a real research question at • The ecentlyr described sea star Henricia pumila During the 14 hours of the three survey was found (previously grouped with Henricia days, 46 volunteers and seven Academy staff leviuscula). Spiny brittle star, Ophiothrix spiculata explored the Pillar Point reef. Over 200 • While the porcelain crab individual organisms were documented, Petrolisthes eriomerus comprising around 150 species. was documented nu- merous times, the flat porcelain crab P. crassipes, the Academy, and for them to have conservation recorded as “common” outcomes. In the Academy’s collection one can at the Fitzgerald Marine find the best representation of California species Reserve, was not found of any organization. By strategically selecting lo- at all. cations to survey that are well represented in our • The blue-banded hermit historic collections, we can begin to understand crab (Pagurus samuelis), how biodiversity and species distributions, abun- an abundant central dances, and ranges have changed over time, while coast hermit crab, was Northern kelp crab, Pugettia producta also creating a current baseline for future com- not observed during parisons. We can use this information to inform the Pillar Point surveys management decisions designed to protect Cali- (other hermit crab spe- fornia’s unique biota. cies were found, though). The Pillar Point surveys were the first of • A number of species not their kind at that location; no species list spe- found on the Fitzgerald cific to the reef had been established. Working Marine Reserve list were off the species list that former ranger Bob Breen found at Pillar Point. had compiled during his time at the Fitzgerald The June Pillar Point Marine Reserve, the Academy created a checklist surveys were only the be- of select, relatively-easy-to-identify taxa to have ginning of establishing a volunteers look for at Pillar Point. Groups were Juvenile red rock crab, Cancer productus baseline of biodiversity on led by Academy staff, and species were docu- the reef. They also helped mented via georeferenced photographs. A small to inform the Academy’s citizen science pro- number of specimens were collected, mainly tube gram; we learned quite a bit about useful pro- feet from sea stars to build a genetic profile of the tocols, taxa that might be best to focus on for populations at Pillar Point, but also a few organ- future surveys, and areas of the reef that are isms that the biologists were unable to identify in unique in their microhabitats and thus in their the field. species composition. The Academy is planning During the 14 hours of the three survey to continue the surveys, hopefully quarterly, to days, 46 volunteers and seven Academy staff ex- document seasonal species and to build a base- plored the Pillar Point reef. Over 200 individual line for use in documenting change over time. organisms were documented, comprising around In the future the Academy would also like to 150 species. Numerous interesting observations conduct similar surveys at Fitzgerald Marine were made: Reserve to compare to Pillar Point. Looking ➤

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 +5 0 -2 Oct www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 3 Citizen Science from page 3 California Academy of Sciences at the adjacent protected vs. unprotected intertidal areas will help us better understand the impacts Group Leaders of human activities and of reef closures. We are Terry Gosliner – Dean of Science and also considering the possibilities for a photo- Research Collections based portion of the intertidal citizen science surveys that interested members of the public, Rebecca Johnson – Citizen Science youth groups, families, etc. could do on their own Research Coordinator during their visits to rocky intertidal areas, while Chrissy Piotrowski – Curatorial still providing valuable species Assistant, Invertebrate Zoology occurrence records to the Academy. Liz Kools – Curatorial Assistant, Thank you again to all Invertebrate Zoology of the wonderful volunteers Roberta Ayres – Naturalist Center who came out to be citizen sci- Manager of Programming entists with the Academy this past June—we couldn’t have Alison Young – Citizen Science done it without you! If you’re Educator interested in participating in future Academy intertidal sur- Nic West – Graduate Student Assistant, veys, send an email to citizen- Invertebrate Zoology Volunteers get a closer look [email protected]. u

Map of species found

16 17 18 19 10 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 +5 0 -2 Oct -1.06 4 www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 Creature Feature : Our closest invertebrate relatives by Jessica Donald larvae exhibit some of the same Appendiculaira or larvaceans are found features as (that is to say animals with in the open ocean. Their clear gelatinous bodies a backbone, like us!), but most of these features resemble the form of a tadpole, but typically do are lost in transition to adulthood, with the ex- not get any bigger than 1 cm in length. ception of pharyngeal gill slits, which are pri- Sorberacea are deep water spe- marily used for feeding and filtering water. Some cies that superficially resemble sea tunicates like Botryllus schlosseri, which you may squirts. recognize from Ernst Haeckel’s famous scientific illustrations, exhibit a crude form of self versus In July of this year one of the non-self recognition similar to the immune sys- docents for the Friends of Fitzgerald tem found in humans that helps in fighting infec- Marine Reserve discovered a (typi- tions. All these features make tunicates, specifi- cally found only in the open ocean) on cally ascidians, prime candidates for studying the FMR’s own beach! The species is called Thetys vagina — photo by Scott Snow fundamental development process of chordates, Thetys vagina and is one of the largest and they provide insight into the links between , with a body length measuring up to 306 chordates and ancestral invertebrate relatives. mm (1 ft.). Salps have a life history that includes alternation of generations between aggregated Tunicates come in many different forms sexual forms and the solitary asexual form which and occur in varied habitats. There are about is the one pictured at right. They have rarely 3,000 species of tunicates that are divided into been caught and occur at very low densities in four classes: most oceans. When out in the open ocean these Ascidiacea are typically known as sea creatures can be found anywhere from the sur- squirts and are found in shallow water on hard face waters to a depth of 1500 meters. They feed surfaces like docks, reefs and the hulls of boats. on like and on small include salps, further described crustacean zooplankton called . Salps below. They can be found anywhere from the filter their food using pharyngeal mucous nets surface waters of the open ocean down to 1500 that they cast out into the water and then reel u meters deep. back in after their prey has been caught.

Are they really our cousins? One clue that tunicates Tunicate tadpoles mature extremely quickly, in a are related to vertebrates is found in the tunicate larva, or matter of just a few hours. Since the tadpoles do not feed tadpole. It even looks like a tiny tadpole, and has a nerve at this stage of their lives, they have no mouths. Their sole cord down its back, similar to the nerve cord found in- job is to find a suitable place to live out their lives as adults. side the vertebrae of all vertebrates. The Cerebral Vesicle is When ready to settle, a sticky secretion helps them attach equivalent to a vertebrate’s brain. Sensory organs include head first to the spot they have chosen. They then reabsorb an eyespot, to detect light, and an otolith, which helps the all the structures within their tail and recycle them to build orient to the pull of gravity. new structures needed for their adult way of life. University of Washington, Student Projects University of Washington, Student Projects

30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 +5 0 -2 Oct Nov www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 5 2010 Marine Life Census: A Brief Review of Highlights by Sasha Greenawalt and Janet Pelinka

The figures in the box re- Census researchers discovered 6000 potentially 2700 scientists flect the astonishing scope of the new species and completed formal descriptions ten-year Census of Marine Life of more than 1200 of them. To store their col- 80+ nations that began in the late 1990s when lected data they created the Ocean Biographic 540 expeditions leading marine scientists con- Information System (OBIS), an online network US $650 million ceived of the idea of a worldwide of publicly accessible information now spanning survey of the diversity, distribu- 120,000 species, with more than 30 million data 2600+ scientific publications tion and abundance of life in- records. With the support of various govern- 6000+ potential new species habiting the oceans. They agreed ments throughout the world it continues to grow. to report in 2010 with data that 30 million distribution records In the seafloor sediment newly found spe- could be used as a baseline from cies included three from a group called Loricifer- which future changes in marine ans, animals known to survive without oxygen. life could be evaluated. Scientists Exploration of a hydrothermal vent near Eas- representing more than 670 labo- ratories, universities, natural history museums and aquariums from all continents worked to- Exploration of a hydrothermal vent near gether to compile the most comprehensive re- Easter Island revealed a crab (dubbed “yeti” cord of marine diversity ever. The international network was coordinated by the Census Secre- for its white, hairy look) that belongs to a new tariat at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership species, and family. in Washington D.C. and governed by an inter- national Steering Committee which in turn gave guidance to 13 National and Regional Imple- ter Island revealed a crab (dubbed “yeti” for its mentation Committees. Following is a summary white, hairy look) that belongs to a new species, of a report highlighting the accomplishments of genus and family. In cold conditions, research- the Census. ers observed that slow growth occurs, along with increased longevity and size. In Antarctic waters Diversity giant macroptychaster sea stars grow up to 60 cm Biodiversity is commonly considered an across. In waters deeper than 1000 meters, scien- important measure of the health of an ecosys- tists found a group of large, unusual squids with tem. Accordingly, Census work centered on an long fins and measuring up to seven meters. They inventory of marine species. In their explorations constitute a new family. In Australian waters explorations con- firmed a contemporary Jurassic “shrimp” thought to be extinct 50 million years ago. It ranks as one of the oldest marine organisms found by the sci- entists. In the northeast Atlantic a new species of oyster that forms reefs on deep cliff sides was dis- covered. These oysters reach 100-500 years of age, making them among the longest-lived mollusks known. Scientists went deep to search for species that have never experienced sunlight. Deep-towed cameras, autonomous free-swimming robots, and smart nets that opened at programmed depths were used to inventory these creatures. Known species that thrive there now number 17,650. To deal with the millions of specimens ➤ Yeti crab

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 +5 0 -2 Nov -1.62 6 www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 collected, a genetic sequencing analysis called proaching 200,000. Census scientists developed “barcoding” was employed. Census research- web pages for 80,000 species in the Encyclopedia ers used a short “barcode” region of a specimen of Life. (fin, tentacle or other fragment of tissue) to distinguish the species to which it belongs. The Distribution Census sequenced DNA identifiers for more than 35,000 species. Scientists searched areas never before ex- plored and found life wherever they ventured. DNA technologies were also used to iden- Various tracking methods (electronic, sound tify marine microbes (classified by phylotypes rather than species). Phylotyping is similar to barcoding but uses DNA sequences relating Deep-towed cameras, autonomous to phylogeny, or evolutionary relationships to free-swimming robots, and smart nets that other organisms. Census investigators gathered opened at programmed depths were used 18 million microbial DNA sequences spanning more than 100 major phyla. It is estimated that to inventory creatures that have never up to 90% of ocean biomass can be attributed experienced sunlight. to marine microbes, their collective weight be- ing equivalent to that of 240 billion African el- ephants. When even a single liter of seawater can and satellite), enabled them to determine where contain more than 38,000 kinds of bacteria, it is animals survive and breed, as well as where they In Australian waters possible that up to one billion kinds of marine travel and where they die. Researchers extended explorations confirmed microbes may live in the oceans. their reach by using 41 different species of ani- a contemporary Jurassic Scientists formed a global picture of mals as assistants. They tagged 16,000 fish with coral reef diversity, observing and monitoring tiny microphones that were read by curtains of “shrimp” thought to creatures that moved in and out of strategically acoustic receivers placed on the ocean floor from be extinct 50 million placed plastic structures resembling reefs. These California to Alaska. Using this method they fol- years ago. structures are known as Autonomous Reef Moni- lowed two juvenile salmon from the headwaters toring Structures (ARMS). of the Columbia River in the Rocky Mountains to the coast of Alaska, a journey of 2500 kilome- ters completed in three months. In the northeast Atlantic a new species of Open ocean requires a different method of oyster that forms reefs on deep cliff sides tracking where- was discovered. These oysters reach 100- by data from the tags’ sensors 500 years of age, making them among the are picked up by longest-lived mollusks known. satellites. These tags have en- hanced capabili- ties that record The researchers were interested to discover measurements which environments favored diversity. Using of environmen- OBIS, they determined that diversity was highest tal data such as in mid-latitude or subtropical strips in all oceans temperature, sa- and in tropical areas like Indonesia and the Phil- linity, light level ippines for coastal species. and depth of the Jurassic "shrimp" water around a It is unknown how many types of ma- tagged animal. This technique, called “biolog- rine life are yet to be discovered. The Census af- ging”, can even include an estimate of chloro- firmed the probable existence of about 250,000 phyll made from light and pressure sensors on named, known species and contributed to the the tags; from that an estimate of phytoplankton development of an authoritative accessible list in abundance can be made. ➤ the World Registry of Marine Species, now ap-

27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 +5 0 -2 Nov Dec www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 7 Census from page 7 Satellite tagging re- dance, rising when species are vealed interesting migratory Tracked from the California coast in decline.) patterns of white sharks in to a meeting place between Baja Then, using a new sen- the Pacific. Tracked from the California and Hawaii, an area sor system, scientists explored California coast to a meet- tens of thousands of square ing place between Baja Cali- named by the scientists as the kilometers along the conti- fornia and Hawaii, an area “White Shark Café,” each shark nental shelf. The sonar gave named by the scientists as was noted to return to its exact images that were updated the “White Shark Café”, each every minute, allowing re- California home address in waters shark was noted to return to searchers to monitor size and Off the central northern its exact California home ad- only 30 meters deep. density of millions of fish in coast of South America dress in waters only 30 meters shoals as well as the shape of deep. Satellite tracking has the shoals. scientists observed supported conservation efforts enormous filamentous to protect the leatherback turtles, providing in- Off the central north- ern coast of South America they observed enor- mats formed by formation leading to the closure of fisheries dur- ing the turtles’ migration. mous filamentous mats formed by megabacteria, megabacteria, visible visible to the naked eye and covering almost Using new types of echo sounders moored to the naked eye 130,000 square kilometers (about the size of Ala- 1000 meters below the water near the mid-At- and covering almost bama). These bacteria subsist mostly on methane- lantic Ridge, investigators observed regular ver- associated hydrogen sulfide on an oxygen-starved 130,000 square tical migrations of fish. They recorded what the sea floor. The mats are estimated to weigh 14 mil- kilometers (about the researchers called “a summer rush hour...fishes lion tons, ranking them among the Earth’s largest and rising about 400 meters at approxi- size of Alabama)… structures. They may be a living fossil ecosystem mately 2100 hours to the zone where sunlight from the Proterozoic era (2.5 billion–650 million They may be a living and photosynthesis have produced food. About years ago), when the Earth was transitioning to fossil ecosystem from 0600 hours, they descended to twilit waters be- an oxygenated atmosphere. low.” (The First Census of Marine Life: High- the Proterozoic era (2.5 lights of a Decade of Discovery, 2010) Census scientists documented the de- billion-650 million cline (and sometimes recovery) of large marine Distribution data by species can be found animals and attempted to answer the question years ago)… on OBIS. of whether global changes are occurring in life at certain trophic levels. They looked for changes Abundance at the bottom of the food chain. Using indirect The third goal of Census scientists was to observations made from ocean vessels since 1899, determine the abundance of life in the world’s investigators found indication of a significant de- oceans. Census historians first established his- cline in the phytoplankton that feeds the upper torical baselines trophic levels. for ten groups of They estimated the seafloor biomass (which marine animals us- depends on food production by photosynthesis ing archives of sea in the water above; the nutrients then fall and life, archaeological settle on the seafloor) from primary production, and paleontologi- the fall of organic debris, and the topography of cal data, molecular the seafloor. They then used these estimates to markers, and fish- approximate populations of individuals in groups ery statistics. They such as fishes, invertebrates and bacteria. even surveyed over There are some indications of a decline 10,000 archived of abundance at the top and the bottom of the menus. (Menu pric- food chain caused primarily by fishing prac- es tend to fluctuate tices, ocean habitat destruction and ocean ➤ The Chilean Thioploca, a megabacteria with species’ abun-

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 +5 0 -2 Dec -1.78 8 www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 temperatures. However, scientists have yet to de- together by the Census. They set common goals, termine if the total weight of marine life is chang- standardized sampling protocols, and recorded ing. As the report says, “Systematically measur- authoritative results for all to see. Collabora- ing the abundance of the approximately 250,000 tion across borders included partnerships with “A conservative estimate known species and the kinds of microbes as well scholars in the humanities and natural and social remains a task for the next decade.”(The First sciences. of ocean species is 10 Census of Marine Life: Highlights of a Decade of Careful mapping of areas explored by million, and it may be Discovery, 2010). Census researchers gives future scientists a sense 50 million or more. Less of what is left to be explored. As Sylvia Earle, than 5% of the ocean Legacy explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic has been seen, let alone The Census of Marine Life has left a rich Society in Washington, D.C., says, “One conclu- legacy to marine science. In the realm of knowl- sion [of the report] is that we have a lot more to explored.” edge more than 2600 published scientific papers learn about the ocean. A conservative estimate of — Sylvia Earle, are publicly accessible. The Census developed an ocean species is 10 million, and it may be 50 mil- infrastructure for future research in OBIS. It es- lion or more. Less than 5% of the ocean has been explorer-in-residence tablished baselines of marine diversity, distribu- seen, let alone explored.” at the National tion and abundance at the beginning of the 21st Geographic Society in century and revised ideas of the genetic structure Public Access Sites: of marine life, charting the proximity and dis- Washington, D.C. tance of relationships between distinct species. • First Census of Marine Life 2010: Highlights of a Decade of Discovery: http://www.coml. Census scientists pioneered new technolo- org/Highlights-2010 gies and enhanced others. They developed bar- • Encyclopedia of Life: http://www.eol.org coding and similar genetic methods. They proved methods of acoustic, electronic, and satellite data • World Register of Marine Species: http:// collection to enable global ocean tracking. In all, www.marinespecies.org researchers tagged 41 species of animals, more • Catalog of Life: http://www.catalogoflife.org than 23,000 individuals. They developed the Au- • Ocean Biographic Information System tonomous Reef Monitoring Structure. (OBIS): http://www.iobis.org u Regarding work habits, scientists world- wide with different interests were brought

Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Membership Secretary, P.O. Box 669, Moss Beach, CA 94038, or through our website: www.fitzgeraldreserve.org

Contribution Levels: Name ______q $25 q $100 q $1000 Address ______q $50 q $500 q Other

q I want to double the value of my gift through City ______State______Zip______my employer's matching gift program (please enclose the matching gift forms). Email ______

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 +5 0 -2 Dec Jan www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 9 LiMPETS: Long-term Monitoring Yields More than Data by Amy Dean If you have been tidepooling at Fitzger- program that is managed locally by the Faral- ald Marine Reserve (FMR) in the last few years, lones Marine Sanctuary Association (FMSA) in you may have been lucky enough to see huddles partnership with NOAA’s Gulf of the Farallones of teens on the reef near Cypress Point. Sitting National Marine Sanctuary. or kneeling over their quadrats (frames used for All of our field sites and monitoring), they laugh, shriek, methodologies have been estab- and shiver. What may look like lished by Dr. John Pearse, who a school field trip is actually real Getting up close and remains the Scientific Advisor science in action. These carefully personal with the rocky for the program. He developed trained students are monitoring shore inhabitants, touching the program as a professor at algae and invertebrates, and they UC Santa Cruz and “gave it” to take their work pretty seriously. slimy algae and squishy the national marine sanctuaries These students, with about anemones, taking careful when he retired. 4000 others throughout the My students find and accurate measurements, FMR became a LiMPETS state, are participating in LiM- partner in 2006. Roberta Chisam the data collection is not for everyone.…But PETS (Long-term Monitoring from St. Francis High School in afterwards…students say the invaluable; they get Program and Experiential Train- Mountain View has been moni- ing for Students). This hands- excited about research experience was “awesome, toring with her students at FMR on program was developed to and see first hand what amazing, hella fun.” from the beginning. Recently, af- monitor the coastal ecosystems ter a day of monitoring in May it entails. of California’s national marine 2012, she reported on the value sanctuaries to increase awareness — Roberta Chisam, of the program for her students: and stewardship of these important areas. Two “My students find the data collection invalu- teacher, St. Francis High distinct programs make up the core of the LiM- able; they get excited about research and see first School, Mountain View PETS network: the Rocky Intertidal Monitor- hand what it entails. It allows me to follow up ing Program and the Sandy Beach Monitoring and have a discussion with students about what Program. From the Channel Islands to the Gulf is happening along our coasts.” of the Farallones and beyond, students are using the same LiMPETS protocols to monitor their Getting up close and personal with the local intertidal areas. This is truly a collaborative rocky shore inhabitants, touching slimy algae and squishy anemones, taking careful and accurate measurements, is not for everyone. Some students report that they expect the monitoring experience to be “dirty, uncomfortable, and bor- ing.” But afterwards, almost every stu- dent reports a changed, more positive attitude about the process of science. Students say the experience was “awe- some, amazing, hella fun.” They want to come back and do it again—an unques- tionably good outcome in itself. Beyond the educational value of LiMPETS data are being used to help determine how effective the new system of state the LiMPETS program, the power of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is in protecting fish, invertebrates, birds, and other the LiMPETS network lies in the large natural resources. quantity of data that is being collected

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 +5 0 -2 Jan -1.45 10 www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 for California’s national marine sanctuaries at from other local sites out- more than 60 sites and over 600 miles of coast- side of reserves show similar line. LiMPETS teachers and students go through declines. rigorous training, and they are able to collect a Another method large amount of data, cheaply. Annually, thou- used for LiMPETS includes sands of students and citizens compile baseline monitoring selected algae data against which future observations will be and invertebrates using compared. By monitoring, students become eyes randomly placed quadrats and ears for our coastal beaches and rocky shores, inside a permanent area. detecting changes and possible problems, often By doing this, we can de- before anyone else. Most notably, LiMPETS data termine statistically robust are being used to help determine how effective estimates of abundance that the new system of state Marine Protected Areas can be compared over time. (MPAs) is in protecting fish, invertebrates, birds, At Fitzgerald, our modest and other natural resources. LiMPETS data will, dataset of 6 years shows that along with other scientific studies, establish a purple sea urchins and cor- baseline of data for sandy beach and rocky in- Dr. John Pearse, Scientific Advisor for the alline algae have declined program, sets up a study site. tertidal areas within the MPAs between Pigeon steadily in our study area. Point and Point Arena. For example, owl limpets are often illegally collected for food. Generally, If all goes well, before long we will know it is the largest individuals that are preferentially much more about the status of many of the taken for consumption. This size-selective har- amazing creatures living in the intertidal. vesting has led to a widespread decline in body Ultimately LiMPETS data, along with size of owl limpets along the coast of California. data from other organizations, will help We count and measure this species in a large, per- to protect these diverse, rich ecosystems. manent area to detect changes in abundance and And yielding more than just data, LiM- size over time. PETS brings science alive for students in a way that they think is “amazing”. At Fitzgerald, LiMPETS students conduct 5-10 surveys per year. After six years, we are be- Want to know more? Please visit ginning to detect some possible trends. Between the LiMPETS website at http://lim- 2006-2011, owl limpet counts had remained petsmonitoring.org. All data is available stable, presumably because of FMR’s status as online for query and download. Look a reserve. This year, however, student data show for our NEW LiMPETS Field Guide, that their numbers have declined. I have done funded by the Friends of Fitzgerald Ma- the counts myself. Owl limpets have indeed de- rine Reserve, available on our website on Owl limpets st clined by approximately 30% in 2012. Our data October 1 , 2012. u

Students from El Camino High School, left, and Lighthouse Community Charter School, right, use reference charts to identify species.

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 +5 0 -2 Jan Feb www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012 11 Julie Walters Conducts Survey of Future Ocean Stewards

On Sunday, August 12, Julie Walters ventured out to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve to inventory the minds of young visitors. Sam age 5 1/2 and Nathan age 8 from Pleasanton and San Jose: What was your favorite thing that you saw today? “A mussel shell that still had both halves. My mom likes the seals. I liked the creek and climbing over the rocks.”

Chloe age 8 from Milpitas: Have you been here before? “Yes on a field trip for my summer camp called Follow the Children.” Did you learn anything new today? “Yes, Cole that the tides are strong and that the moss is slippery.”

Cole age 4 1/2 from Atherton: Have you ever been here before? No, my mom found it online. Did you learn anything today? “The best place to see octopus the next time I visit.”

Charlotte, age 9 from Bernal Heights, San Francisco: What was your favorite thing that you saw today? “Hermit crab” Have you been here before? “Yes, for my 7th birthday party.” Why did you decide to come here today? “ It was my dad’s idea.” Dad: “It was foggy and gray in Lily the city and we wanted to get outside.”

Lucca age 5 from San Francisco shown here imitating a shark: Did you learn anything new today? “Yes, that trash is bad for the ocean.”

Lily from Manteca: What was your favorite thing that you saw today? “Starfish and seals” Why did you decide to come here today? Dad: “To escape the heat, it was 103 degrees in Manteca.”

Sam and Nathan

Chloe Lucca, imitating a shark Charlotte

12 www.fitzgeraldreserve.org • September 2012