Kelp forest exploration – F block

On Wednesday 3 October second year Marine Science students in F block travelled to Fossil Point to explore the Nereocystis kelp forest.

 

From the surface, various abiotic factors were measured.

 

And organisms were observed, including the Lion’s mane jelly (Cyanea capillata) below.

 

And a kelp crab (Pugettia producta) that was collected by Chris.

 

Seven students submerged themselves in the ecosystem using mask, snorkel & fins.

The hardest part was getting dressed…

 

 

Once in the water they seemed to really enjoy themselves…

 

 

 

Sammy managed to collect a holdfast:

 

 

It was difficult to extract the snorkelers from the kelp forest but we had to return to the College for lunch (we left the kelp there for the grazers – sea urchins, snails, fishes, etc.).

Kelp at the green buoy

Second year marine science students went on a spontaneous field trip on the afternoon of 1 October 2012.  We travelled to the green buoy in Pedder Bay where there is a tiny patch of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana). We pulled one of the kelps on to our boat and found a few very interesting organisms living amongst the blades.

Kelp crab (Pugettia producta) on bull kelp blades.  This is an ovigerous (egg-bearing) female with a lot of algae & some barnacles on her carapace.

Notice her ‘cutting’ claws used to tear pieces of kelp.

A small decorator crab.

A northern clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus).

And this very unusual looking bull kelp individual!  Perhaps it is getting ready for halloween…