MacKerricher State Park,

The scope of our research project was to observe the differences in the ecology from the intertidal zone to the uppermost region of the beach. Our project extended over a 90 foot section.

 Looking downward to our starting point Tape drawn because hard to discern from image.

 
Our project began at the intertidal zone during low tide (10:02 AM). We observed small green sea anemones, broken snail and mussel shells, a variety of red algae, Halosaccion glandiforme, Candrocanthus, Brown seaweed, "Rockweed" (Fucus gardneri), surf grass (see images below). The water varied from a depth of 3" when tide went out and 6-8" when waves came in.

4 feet from our starting point we observed periwinkles, limpets (phylum Mollusca), coastal flies, brown and red algae, surf grass, sea anemones, intertidal snails and hermit crabs. 

Variety of seaweed growing in 1^st and 2^nd location. Green pea pod appears to be from sea grass, and we believe the red seaweed is of phylum Rhodophyta.

Continuing to 8 feet we noticed a decrease in diversity and amount of seaweed. Hermit crabs up to this point, seemed to inhabit the same space as sea anemones, perhaps feeding off of the seaweed or organisms that live on it. We observed 1 hermit crab that was opalescent in color. The tide was measured at 7", indicating that the tide was rising.

 At 17 feet we reached the shoreline, where we observed a hermit crab with blue legs (unable to identify). Crushed seashells were mixed amongst the rocks seen above and coarse (gravel-sized) pebbles.

At 22 feet we observed moist rocks and smaller fragments of broken shells. No visible plant life grew in this region. The only living organisms visible at this location were flies…though we did not dig. At 29’ the rocks were smaller, about the size of fine gravel or very coarse sand. At 35 feet we observed fine sand and larger rocks. We also observed seaweed that had washed ashore, indicative of a recent high tide.

At 56 feet we observed a large decomposing mass of dead seaweed (most of which was Nereocystis leutkeana, the Bullwhip Kelp) from the subtidal zone. We concluded that this was from the storm of a previous month, as the seaweed was very dry on top. Driftwood, rocks and fine-grained sand were also in this location. A juvenile Western Gull was located approximately 5’ south of our location (see image below).

Eastward from 62’ to 90’ we observed an increase in vegetation including succulents, various grasses and flowers. We believe the yellow flower we observed was the Coastal Gum Plant. Succulents such as the Sea Fig or Yellow Ice Plants and Sea Rockets also grew in this area.

Through this project we have worked together