Well its been a week and a half since our last post, and we have accomplished a lot! Get ready for a mondo wall o' text! But don't worry, there will be pictures to tickle your marine biology centers in your brain.Tuesday, Oct 23:
We were able to get the first 7 plots out (in a "not-so-random" random order, thanks to our number generator) at Big Fisherman's Cove. As noted in the last blog, we ventured out to Isthmus Reef the day previous and collected 28 Dictyota plants. Since we intend to analyze tiny invertebrate assemblages (more specifically, new colonization) of these plots, we had to rid the plants of the critters that were already living in them. Luckily Valerie and Kaylee had some knowledge of a tried-and-true method of accomplishing this: dunking the plants into freshwater causes the little creatures to go into osmotic shock and drift off into the long sleep. However, we were all surprised when the water started turning a dark indigo and then a rich plum. Dictyota Kool-Aid, anyone? No? Didn't think so.
After rinsing the plants, we put them in seawater-filled Ziploc bags and began the arduous ritual of loading the boat with scuba gear, science materials, and rocks. (We needed the rocks to hold down our plastic mesh that is used to secure the plants to the ocean floor). All of us will be ripped by the end of this trip. Just you wait.
We boated over to the other side of the cove and after dumping rocks over the side like good ol' rock smugglers and SCUBA'd down to the bottom (17-22 ft) and got to work. We zip-tied plants to the four corners of the plastic mesh. Everything in ecology involves zip ties.
Lots of heavy lifting!
Errrrrr-ic being silly
After diving at Big Fisherman's Cove (hereafter noted as BFC), we headed out to Isthmus Reef and dove between 20-50 feet to collect more Dictyota. Isthmus Reef is the best place to dive in the immediate area that we have found thus far. Every time we go we see Horn Sharks, Giant Kelpfish, and sometimes Leopard sharks, as well as many cool invertebrates. Garibaldi, the California state marine fish, is a particularly striking shade of orange. This bright color is probably aposematic (meaning "warning coloration"), but instead of warning for poisons as in tropical tree frogs, it probably warns observers of their nasty attitude. They're pretty territorial and will fearlessly give divers the stare-down and nip at them. Here are some Isthmus Reef photos, taken by Valerie.
Macrocystis and our boat!
Pretty big Horn Shark!
Valerie!
For our physiology project, we fed our snails, Lithopoma undosa 4 different species of algae: Macrocystis pyrifera, Egregia sp., Zonaria sp., and Silvetia sp. This was another preliminary trial to see what the general preference of the snails is.
Valerie and Eric doing snail science
Wednesday, 10/24
The first 7 plots were put out at Lion's Head. The crew worked faster and more efficient this time around. This time we decided to forego the afternoon Isthmus Reef collection and instead, conducting the collection right before we put out the next plots to minimize the time sitting out of the natural environment. The plots almost immediately had curious Kelp Bass and Senorita visitors. We were all very excited!
One of our plots!
Many of our days ends with a nice hike up past the boneyard (the storage lot behind the lab dorms) and gorging ourselves on cactus fruits. Sometimes we go up at night and stargaze too. Being away from Los Angeles has many benefits!! We never really want to leave.
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