Northern CA PPSR Projects 1

Invasive Tunicate Network (iTunicate)

• Organization Name

  Plate Watch
• Project Website

  http://platewatch.nisbase.org/
• Organization Website

  http://platewatch.nisbase.org/
• Partners

  Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), San Francisco State University
• Contact Name

  Linda McCann, network coordinator
• Contact Email

  mccannl@si.edu
• Contact Phone

  N / A
• Other Contact Information

  N / A
• Project Purpose (taken from project materials)

  Engage citizen volunteers in the collection of critical background data on invertebrates in coastal ecosystems, to facilitate the early detection of invasive marine species. Species targeted for monitoring include 8 marine species invasive in California with the potential for transport and significant impacts in more pristine habitats to the north, such as Alaska.
  

  The Adopt-A-Plate program is being established to (a) detect biological
  invasions by non-native marine species; (b) measure changes in the distribution and abundance of marine invertebrates more broadly, and (c) measure important water quality parameters.

   

• Participant Activities

  The Invasive Tunicate Network utilizes settlement plates to collect target species. Each participant examines key organisms at a single site and collects descriptive physical measures. Clean PVC plates are deployed from piers and floating docks 1-4 times/year, for 3 – 9 months, retrieved, photographed and specimens of interest are collected and preserved for confirmation by expert taxonomists. At each deployment date, participants also measure water temperature, salinity and turbidity and take notes on nearby land and water activities.

• Data Entry

  • Website
  • Collection Kits
  • Data Sheets
• Other Participant Activities

  Participants can manipulate data and participate in discussions with other volunteers.

• System Studied

  • Invasive Species
  • Marine
• Geographic Scope

  Regional
• Region

  Northern California
• Location

  Morro Bay, Berkeley, and other sites in coastal California, as well as many sites in Alaska
• Location - Map

  3152 Paradise Drive Tiburon, California 94920
• Time Commitment

  • Specific dates (see Other Information below)
• Volunteer Qualifications

  Participants must have a good digital camera with good macro photography capabilities. Plate Watch provides each participant with plates, collecting vials, temperature loggers, data sheets and instructions. 

• Volunteer Training

  Through on-line field guides, resources and supportive networks, Invasive Tunicate Network volunteers learn how to identify the target non-native species and quiz themselves on their knowledge.

• Cost to Participant

  N / A
• How will the findings be used?

  Data will eventually be accessible in an online database. Reports and newsletters developed with data from the project are also available on the website.

• Other Information

  We estimate the time required for one site (10 plates) @ 1 day every 3 months.
  As a minimum, the plates will be deployed initially on or about 15 June and retrieved 3 months later, on or about 15 September. This standard time period allows comparison across many sites, including North America and overseas. Ideally, the network participant/group will be able to sample quarterly with replacement, setting out new plates upon retrieval of the initial summer collectors.

• Photo

  N / A
• last update:

  N / A