A new era in science Thanks to the connectivity of the internet, science is no longer just the realm of universities and bearded recluses living in tents on remote islands; it is in your living room. Citizen science harnesses the power of the group, it allows mass input. In the marine environment, we have multiple opportunities to add valuable research information and often simply by recording a few details from your own local patch. The Natural History Museum (NHM), Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT), The Marine Biological Association (MBA) and many more need our help. The information they gather, not only produces a picture of our coast it also influences policy; it has been instrumental in the evidence required to establish Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ).
Click on the logo to access the surveys (opens a new window)
Co-coast (capturing our coast) is a series of surveys gathering data on biodiversity, invasive species and wading birds. The MBA offers training (1day) to enable you to undertake transect surveys using a methodology that ensures the data is valid for national research. Training is local (free) and details are found under the links below. These surveys require some identification knowledge of the common species of the shore, however, this is fairly easy to obtain as the scheme uses species cards that help to make positive identifications in the field. This is not only a great way to contribute but also quickly improves your skills and builds a picture up of your area. Surveys can be just one a year or as many as you like. These projects are ideal for the budding scientist and enthusiastic rock pooler.
Shoresearch, Seasearch and Seaquest are three fantastic user-friendly projects being run by CWT. Again training is required and this is available at various venues. The different projects enable divers, rock poolers, and boat owners to all contribute to the monumental task of gathering information about the SW. This not only informs policy but also has a direct impact on how funds are spent at CWT, it helps them to decide priorities. Shoresearch concentrates on 4 surveys so you can decide how much time you can spare. Matt Salter and Adele are very friendly, enthusiastic and a wealth of knowledge so the training days are more than just learning how to do the survey they are fun. Again species cards are used to help identification. Seasearch is for divers and again Matt is the trainer on this, it gives your dive observations a valuable purpose. Seaquest is for either land or boat based observations of marine mammals, again it is building a fantastic picture of our coast and has a significant impact on fishery management.
The Big Seaweed survey is one of many projects run by the Natural History Museum, here a simple walk over activity is helping to build a picture of the distribution of common seaweeds, this is helping to understand the impact of invasive species and providing data for other research. No training is required for this, you simply download the information print a survey form and then upload your findings in a simple format. The survey is a good one to do with family, it quickly helps you to learn the basic seaweeds, can be done at any time of year and needs very little equipment other than a camera and a pen. Other surveys exist for a range of habitats away from the coast.
The Plastic tide are asking for armchair help, they need you to tag bits of litter in photographs. A random request but it is to enable drone technology to survey the full extent of the plastic problem on our coast. The more people that help out the better the accuracy of the drone. If you have a few minutes spare and a pc, why not log on and do a bit?