My name is Hannah Baker and I am the lead for the FMC’s Rock Pool Project. After developing a passion for the marine environment when I was a child, I completed a degree in Maine Biology and then a Masters in Biodiversity and Conversation in 2006. Since then, I have been working as a science teacher and tutor leading environmental education sessions both in the UK and Australia.
As part of the FMC’s rock pool lead, I will be running public rock pool rambles and surveys as part of the Shoresearch programme. Shoresearch was started in 2003 by the Wildlife Trust as a national citizen science survey of the intertidal shore. Volunteers are trained to identify and record the wildlife on shores across the UK. This data enables us to monitor our fragile sea life and better understand the effects of pollution, climate change and invasive alien species. Shoresearch data has enabled us to designate many of our Marine Conservation Zones.
Qualified volunteers will be conducting the following surveys throughout the year in and around Falmouth:
Quadrat Biodiversity Survey
The Quadrat Biodiversity Survey involves recording which species we find and how many we find. We use a standard quadrat (1m x 1m square) to define the sample area and a random number generator to decide where to place the quadrats on the shore. We are aiming to complete two quadrat surveys per year on the same site at Gyllyngvase beach in order to monitor the site.
Timed Species Search
During this survey a select list of species are searched for across an area of shore within a fixed time period to assist with the monitoring of their distribution around the UK.
Walkover Survey
The Walkover Survey simply involves recording all the species we find on the shore.
Our first event of the year will be on Saturday 19th March as part of Blue Day at the Princess Pavilion. We will be running public rock pool sessions on Castle Beach at 12pm (suitable for all ages) and 1pm (suitable for adults and children over 11). Come along and learn about our special intertidal habitat and its importance both locally and globally.
There will be more events added throughout the year.
If you’d like to get involved, please e-mail me at rockpooling@falmouthmarineconservation.co.uk