Tide pool

Abstract: A study of the diurnal and seasonal variation in the physico-chemical conditions within intertidal rock pools on the West coast of Scotland was undertaken to provide data on the environmental conditions experienced by animals inhabiting these pools. The temperature, pH, partial pressure of oxygen ( P O 2 ) and salinity were measured every hour for 24 h and the total alkalinity, partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( P CO 2 ) and carbon dioxide content ( C CO 2 ) calculated. This sampling regime was carried out once a month for 12 months to determine the extent of seasonal variation in conditions within temperate pools. Large diurnal variations were recorded in nearly all the physico-chemical parameters measured. The greatest variation was recorded in the temperature and P O 2 of the water but significant changes in pH and P CO 2 were also recorded. Total alkalinity varied little during any 24 h period but carbonate alkalinity, which was always lower than total alkalinity, showed slightly greater variation. There was also considerable variation in the magnitude of these diurnal changes between pools at different heights on the shore. Diurnal variation in the physico-chemical conditions within the pools were observed throughout the year although the magnitude of these changes varied seasonally. Detailed studies on individual pools demonstrated that appreciable local variation existed in the physico-chemical conditions within each pool.

Abstract: The Rock Pool Project database contains species records collected by members of the public participating in the Rock Pool Project, a citizen science programme run by not-for-profit organisation People Power Science CIC Ltd. Species detected are photographed, verified by Rock Pool Project team members and stored. Records are obtained during one of two survey types: 1) Rock Pool Bingo for children up to the age of nine and 2) Rock Pool Biodiversity surveys for children of age nine and up, and adults. Rock Pool Bingo surveys are based on a grid of species commonly found in Cornish rock pool sites and are completed in groups. Rock Pool Biodiversity surveys are focused on a specific taxonomic group and record all species found within this group within a set time period and area. Absence records, for UK species within focal species groups that are not discovered, are provided for Rock Pool Biodiversity surveys. Rock Pool Bingo records should be regarded as presence only and do not contain absence records. Detailed protocols for both survey types can be found on the Rock Pool Project website: https://therockpoolproject.co.uk/about-us/survey-protocols.

Abstract: Aim Artificial coastal defence structures are proliferating in response to rising and stormier seas. These structures provide habitat for many species but generally support lower biodiversity than natural habitats. This is primarily due to the absence of environmental heterogeneity and water-retaining features on artificial structures. We compared the epibiotic communities associated with artificial coastal defence structures and natural habitats to ask the following questions: (1) is species richness on emergent substrata greater in natural than artificial habitats and is the magnitude of this difference greater at mid than upper tidal levels; (2) is species richness greater in rock pools than emergent substrata and is the magnitude of this difference greater in artificial than natural habitats; and (3) in artificial habitats, is species richness in rock pools greater at mid than upper tidal levels? Location British Isles. Methods Standard non-destructive random sampling compared the effect of habitat type and tidal height on epibiota on natural rocky shores and artificial coastal defence structures. Results Natural emergent substrata supported greater species richness than artificial substrata. Species richness was greater at mid than upper tidal levels, particularly in artificial habitats. Rock pools supported greater species richness than emergent substrata, and this difference was more pronounced in artificial than natural habitats. Rock pools in artificial habitats supported greater species richness at mid than upper tidal levels. Main conclusions Artificial structures support lower biodiversity than natural habitats. This is primarily due to the lack of habitat heterogeneity in artificial habitats. Artificial structures can be modified to provide rock pools that promote biodiversity. The effect of rock pool creation will be more pronounced at mid than upper tidal levels. The challenge now is to establish at what tidal height the effect of pools becomes negligible and to determine the rock pool dimensions for optimum habitat enhancement.