Citizen contributions to the science and monitoring of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) in Puget Sound, WA
Presentation Abstract
The citizen based San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) implemented kayak based bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) surveys in the summer of 2015. Survey efforts were a component of regional collaborations among six MRC’s located throughout Puget Sound, WA. Protocol endpoints included kelp bed perimeter measurements by handheld GPS and density estimations through quadrat bulb counts. Due to geographic variation between MRC’s, successes were divergent and each committee was faced with specific challenges. In particular, San Juan MRC was charged with surveying 408 miles of shoreline, much of which can expose kayakers to harsh conditions. Conversely, the proposed Deer Harbor Estuary restoration project, largely protected from adverse weather conditions, provides a unique and safe opportunity to apply established protocols to pre and post restoration monitoring. Protocol development, site selection and safety will be discussed using San Juan MRC as a case study in citizen science contributions to kelp examinations in the field. Furthermore, the potential utility of such methodologies in understanding kelp life history and response to habitat restoration will be considered.
Keywords: citizen science, bull kelp, marine resources committee, Puget Sound
Session Title
Tools and Strategies for Growing Citizen Science
Conference Track
Engagement
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Kelp bed ecology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Marine algae--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Nereocystis luetkeana; Environmental monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound--Citizen participation
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Citizen contributions to the science and monitoring of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) in Puget Sound, WA
2016SSEC
The citizen based San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) implemented kayak based bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) surveys in the summer of 2015. Survey efforts were a component of regional collaborations among six MRC’s located throughout Puget Sound, WA. Protocol endpoints included kelp bed perimeter measurements by handheld GPS and density estimations through quadrat bulb counts. Due to geographic variation between MRC’s, successes were divergent and each committee was faced with specific challenges. In particular, San Juan MRC was charged with surveying 408 miles of shoreline, much of which can expose kayakers to harsh conditions. Conversely, the proposed Deer Harbor Estuary restoration project, largely protected from adverse weather conditions, provides a unique and safe opportunity to apply established protocols to pre and post restoration monitoring. Protocol development, site selection and safety will be discussed using San Juan MRC as a case study in citizen science contributions to kelp examinations in the field. Furthermore, the potential utility of such methodologies in understanding kelp life history and response to habitat restoration will be considered.
Keywords: citizen science, bull kelp, marine resources committee, Puget Sound
