![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Cropped/protocol5.jpg) |
MARINe Core Surveys
follow a standardized protocol which is described in detail in the
MARINe Protocol Handbook.
MARINe is also producing videos of the field sampling protocols for
archival and training purposes.
The Core Survey
design consists of several required elements:
|
Photoplots
Five replicate photographs of fixed plots
marked by bolts on three corners are collected for selected targeted
species. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Cropped/protocol2.jpg) |
A judgment is made to determine if the
species is represented in sufficient numbers at the site to warrant
monitoring. Photoplots are laid out preferably in areas of concentrated
occurrence. Most teams score their photos in the lab (identifying to
species under 100 evenly spaces points) though some teams opt for field
scoring.
Species commonly monitored with
photoplots include California mussels
Mytilus californianus, barnacles Pollicipes polymerus, Tetraclita
rubescens, Chthamalus dalli/fissus/Balanus glandula, the turfweed
Endocladia muricata, the rockweeds Silvetia compressa,
Hesperophycus californicus, and colonial sea anemones Anthopleura
elegantissima/sola. |
Irregular plots Black
abalone Haliotis cracherodii and seastars Pisaster ochraceus
are counted and measured in three replicate fixed irregular plots. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Cropped/protocol3.jpg) |
Color of seastars (orange or purple) is also noted. Katharina tunicata
is counted at northern sites. |
Circular plots Owl limpets,
Lottia gigantea, are counted and measured in a 1 meter radius
circular plot. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Cropped/protocol4.jpg) |
Transects Surfgrass,
Phyllospadix scouleri/torreyi, and feather boa kelp, Egregia
menziesii, are monitored using a point intercept method on each of
three replicate 10 meter transects. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/transect.jpg) |
Hedophyllum sessile (sea
cabbage) is also monitored at northern sites. |
Panoramic Photographs
Eight photos are taken in each of two circles at fixed locations at each
site to form panoramas. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Protocol6.jpg) |
This places the fixed plots in context with the changes occurring at the
site as a whole. |
Reconnaissance Survey A
standardized check sheet noting changes at the site from natural and
anthropogenic disturbances, along with a datasheet to note the
abundance, recruitment and condition of 60 species is completed at each
site visit.
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Optional
elements: |
Barnacle recruitment
Several teams include protocols to follow recruitment. Counts of small
individuals are taken using magnification from small plates bolted near
the fixed plots and from small squares of substrate. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Cropped/protocol7.jpg) |
Motile Invertebrates
Many teams include a motile invertebrate count of photoplots to help
explain the changes seen in the photoplot data. Crabs, limpets, large
and small snails and chitons are subsampled or counted in the plots. |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120915085303im_/http://www.marine.gov/Images/Research-Images/Cropped/protocol8.jpg) |