The shores visited this month for the group surveys were LLandudno pier (Pen y Gogarth SSSI), Rhoscolyn (Glannau Rhoscolyn SSSI) and Cricieth (Glanllynnau a Glannau Pen-y-Chain i Gricieth SSSI). We also visited Cricieth (Tiroedd a Glannau Rhwng Cricieth ac Afon Glaslyn SSSI) for a brief introduction to a volunteer group from Bangor University.

Surveys completed

Number of quadrats: 15;

Time spent on species searches n/a

Number of volunteers: 11

Seasonal findings many animals can cope with seasonal changes onshore by utilising areas which help to keep them moist and attached (two important factors with increasing icy winds and storminess as we head into winter). The “Underboulder community” is one important habitat to help with this, as well as generally increasing the biodiversity on shore. A habitat our Shoresearchers are being asked to log when they find while carrying out a survey, these spaces under, within and between boulders can provide a good deal of extra microhabitat on the shore (with vital shade, moisture, shelter, attachment for themselves or their eggs). The boulders themselves can affect the water coming as well as providing sediment traps. Greater richness of life underneath comes with increased space underneath as well as running seawater down the shore. Turning rocks and boulders expose these creatures to drying and therefore dying, so our Shoresearchers are also keen to report when they see evidence of boulders having been upturned and left like that on shore.

Species features

Cladophora rupestris is a coarse dark green (blue-green) seaweed that can grow at any part of the inter-tidal shore, on bedrock to boulders and other seaweeds from sheltered to very exposed shores. It is densely tufted, by branching a lot and grows to only 15-20cm in height.

As many seaweeds do, it can provide a lot of protection for a lot of different organisms, including epiphytes (organisms which grow on another one and acquires its nutrients from the surrounding environment) and motile animals from predation, but also as an anchorage against turbulent water movement. It also provides food either from the epiphytes growing on it or its own fronds.  

It’s classed as an algae which is pretty resilient and MarLIN website gives a great example of this “after the Torrey Canyon tanker oil spill in mid-March 1967, recolonization by sporelings of Ulva and Cladophora had occurred by the end of April (Smith, 1968)” 

Chitons – the most common being Lepidochitona cinerea are molluscs, which roam around the bottom of rocks, on which they feed. The have been known to be called Coat-of-mail shells too after the armoured look of the shell. This armour is actually embedded with loads of ceramic-type eyes in some species to enable them to see. 

They’re a group which is being investigated to create materials etc for use by us humans – Biomimetics. Chitons have incredibly strong teeth which are helping to make better artificial bones for surgery and also abrasion-resistant materials as they’re one of only a few creatures which can produce a mineral called magnetite.   

The Shoresearch surveys are designed to help monitor some areas of shore by volunteers recording what they find using various types of surveys. Training is given to the volunteers who sign up to help us carry out these surveys.

We are liaising with other organisations to hone these surveys, so they become a vital tool in the help to monitor wildlife in our intertidal areas. Whilst they can also help to introduce volunteers to the species which live in this intertidal zone, the ideal is to build up some regular teams to regularly survey certain areas, building a clearer picture over the long term and in particular to keep an eye out for Invasive species and Climate change indicators.

If you would like to join us to volunteer your time at our repeated survey sites, then please get in touch. It is likely to be just one 2-3 hr session out on shore once every month at the least, as well as any time you can spare to do online training or website reading. 

Want to help with Shoresearch volunteering

Of course, feel free to help in other ways too via becoming a member, donating or buying a gift membership for someone. Thank you.

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