A resource for science and design at the land-sea interface
This illustration from the Seattle Times (link to article) provides a fascinating window into what Seattle’s marine ecosystem might have looked like prior to urbanization. It’s a map of the … Continue readingSeattle before urbanization
A few times recently when I’ve been out collecting sediment, I’ve had the feeling that I’m being followed. Each time, I turn around and find one of these little guys … Continue readingMy friend the spotted ratfish
Unfortunately, the urchin corrals (see previous post) proved unsuccessful. After numerous adjustments to the design, escapees continued to find their way to freedom. By the end, the only prototypes that … Continue readingUrchins on leashes
Here’s a cool recent paper from Cesar Megina and colleagues: Harbours as marine habitats: hydroid assemblages on sea-walls compared with natural habitats. Megina et al. compared communities of hydroids in harbors and … Continue readingHydroid assemblages in Spain’s harbors versus natural rocky habitats
That’s right, the first 8 week samples from the enrichment plots are in and it’s time to get to work. Here’s what the inside of our lab fridge looks like … Continue readingEnrichment plot samples are here!
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about this article from Bob Steneck and colleagues: Ecosystem Flips, Locks, and Feedbacks: the Lasting Effects of Fisheries on Maine’s Kelp Forest Ecosystem. In … Continue readingUrchins and crabs vying for dominance
In my last post, I provided some background information about spatial subsidies and how I think they may be playing a role in urban marine ecosystems. Specifically, I considered whether … Continue readingDo algal subsidies from riprap alter soft sediment community structure?
As promised, I wanted to provide some background information about spatial subsidies and explain one way in which I think they may occur in urban marine ecosystems… Since the late … Continue readingSpatial subsidies from riprap… say what?
If you live in a coastal city, there is likely a vibrant marine ecosystem just beyond the shoreline you see downtown. We so rarely get to peer into these ecosystems … Continue readingUnderwater video tour of Alki Pipeline
I have installed the first of what will likely be several different contraptions to contain urchins. It’s an urchin corral! You can see it here in the kiddie pool tanks … Continue readingUrchin corrals