MIMIC: Using Citizen Scientist to Track the Spread of Marine Invasive Species at the Wells NERR Jeremy Miller - Wells National Estuarine Research reserve Adrienne Pappal – Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management 2015 Maine Waters Conference March 31st Augusta, ME The NERRS System What is MIMIC? n Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative n A network of trained volunteers, scientists, and state agency workers n Monitor for marine invasive species along the New England coastline from June-Oct What is an invasive species? n Non-native n Introduced n Causes harm MIMIC n 11 partners n 65 sites n 100+ citizen scientists! Where we monitor Cobble Shores Tidepools Marinas MIMIC Sites 2008-2013 N 23 Monitored Species Monitored Species n 16 established non-native species n 7 potential non-native species n Selected because can be identified without a microscope ID Cards Goals n Early Detection: To find introduced non-native marine species before they spread and/or become established in the ecosystem n Education: about marine invasive species and how to reduce their spread n Data: to interested users via online database and collaborative efforts. n Have fun! Early Detection n Once an organism has invaded marine ecosystems, control is difficult if not impossible Native Grass Shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) Palaemon elegans- Invasive European Rock Shrimp Photo:Chesapeakebay.net Juvenile Adult Site of initial occurrence - Kennebunk Beach Education n Inform the public about the impacts of invasive species on natural resources, recreation, and ecology. Education n Citizen scientist provide critical links to community members who may be affected by invasives or act as potential vectors (fishermen, recreation, etc.) Data n Citizen Scientist provide the data that informs researchers and managers about the occurrence and spread of species in their areas. Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative Datasheet* Date: Observers: Site ID: Location Type (circle one): dock cobble shore tidepool other: Location Description: Begin Time: Salinity Water Temp Weather Time of Low Tide End Time: Established Invaders Scientific Name Common name Present (X) Absent (X) Quantity Photo# Comments Ascidiella aspersa Sea Squirt [ ] [ ] Botrylloides violaceus Sheath Tunicate [ ] [ ] Botryllus schlosseri Golden Star Tunicate [ ] [ ] Bugula neritina Purple Bushy Bryozoan [ ] [ ] Caprella mutica Skeleton Shrimp [ ] [ ] Carcinus maenas Green Crab [ ] [ ] Codium fragile Green Fleece [ ] [ ] Diadumene lineata Striped Anemone [ ] [ ] Didemnum vexillum "Mystery" Colonial Tunicate [ ] [ ] Diplosoma listerianum Diplosoma Tunicate [ ] [ ] Grateloupia turuturu Red Alga [ ] [ ] Hemigrapsus sanguineus Asian Shore Crab [ ] [ ] Membranipora sp. Lacy Crust Bryozoan [ ] [ ] Ostrea edulis European Oyster [ ] [ ] Palaemon elegans European Rock Shrimp [ ] [ ] Styela clava Club Tunicate [ ] [ ] Potential Invaders- If found, notify MIMIC program coordinator immediately at (617)626-1218. Scientific Name Common name Present (X) Absent (X) Quantity Photo# Comments Corella eumyota Tunicate [ ] [ ] Eriocheir sinensis Chinese Mitten Crab [ ] [ ] Hemigrapsus tak anoi Brush-Clawed Shore Crab [ ] [ ] Rapana venosa Veined Rapa Whelk [ ] [ ] Sargassum muticum Japanese Seaweed [ ] [ ] Synidotea laevidorsalis Asian Isopod [ ] [ ] Undaria pinnatifida Undaria Kelp [ ] [ ] Other Species: Notes: Photo credit: Stewart Demusles Quantity Key: Abundant (A) = present almost everywhere you look Common (C) = present in most of the location (over half of the areas looked) Few (F) = present, but at low abundance (less than half of the areas looked) Rare (R) = only one to two specimens present at site Absent (N)= not present, not observed at the site *Adapted from Salem Sound Coastwatch. MORIS- Online Database Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System http://www.mass.gov/czm/mapping/index.htm HAVE FUN!! How is it working for the Wells NERR?? Pictured below: The invasive skeleton shrimp (Caprella mutica) and the invasive “lacy crusty Bryozoan” (Membranipora membranacea). GREAT! n Monitoring since 2008 n Have grown from 4-8 sites in Maine n 260 monitoring events n 14 different invasive species documented n 1st sighting of the “European rock shrimp” Our Citizen Scientists n Currently have 15 “dedicated” volunteers in Maine n 30 people involved during peak times (students/interns/etc.) n Two teachers/school groups involved n 3-5th graders and Highschool Biology Class n Wide range of people involved n Ages range from 8-80(?) years old n All walks of life n Diverse reasons for joining Considerations/challenges n Safety n Safety of monitors primary concern: site safety, preparation, changing conditions n “If you feel uncomfortable or feel your safety is at risk for any reason, discontinue monitoring and leave the location” n Quality Control n Data and metadata should be collected according to the protocol n And be accurate (including identifications!) n QA/QC often needed on data THANKS!!! n Citizen Scientist of Course! n Adrienne Pappal/Ma CZM n Wells NERR Research Dept. n 2015 MWC organizers/sponsors n You all for your attention! J .