Climate Change is a Shore Thing
Students on the first year of the Marine Science Foundation Degree at Falmouth Marine School carried out the 2010 Shore Thing Survey on Gyllyngvase Beach last week.
The purpose of the survey, run by Project Co-ordinator Fiona Crouch of MarLIN, was to assess the biodiversity of the rocky shore and determine the impact of global warming on local shores.
The Shore Thing Survey was first carried out by students in 2007. After the Climate Change Conference in December 2009 which discussed the potential effects of climate change on humans, students decided to see its effect on other creatures. The collaboration with MarLIN and the College is now in its fourth successful year.
MarLIN, the Marine Life Information Network is an organisation working with schools and volunteer recorders to collect information on the marine life of rocky shores around Britain. All the information collected is made available online and will help to build a picture of how things are now to measure climate change in the future.
On Monday 26th April, the 20 students and Marine Science Foundation Degree Course Manager, Claire Eatock arrived on Gyllyngvase Beach at 9am and spent four hours noting invasive species that originally came from as far away as the Pacific Ocean, as well as species more comfortable with warmer areas, which have become more numerous as the climate becomes increasingly warm. The survey also consisted of a transect survey and a timed species search.
Project Co-ordinator Fiona Crouch of MarLIN said: "Our relationship with Falmouth Marine School has helped us collect a great deal of important data over the previous year. It's great to have the student input and we hope to carry on with this project for many more years to come."
Emma Dobinson, on her first year of the Marine Science Foundation Degree which is approved by the University of Plymouth, said: "Shore Thing is a great way of getting practical experience of the biodiversity of our rocky shores and learning the scientific methods required to record data."
Dave Linnell OBE, Principal of Cornwall College commented: "It's great to see students getting involved in national projects. It is important that they learn about these global issues and get involved in a hands-on way in the industry that they will one day be a part of."
All undergraduate courses are approved by the University of Plymouth.