Rocky Shores

Temporate Shores

ROCKY SHORES--MONITORING AND CONSERVATION

The temperate rocky shore wilderness is diverse and beautiful. Twice daily at low tides we are allowed access to this rich ecosystem. Many human communities depend on the shore for food (seaweed, shellfish, and fish are collected from rocky shores), and they are important recreational and educational places. Since its foundation, SEI has been working on the conservation and ecology of rocky shore ecosystems along America's west coast. Rocky shore ecosystems are a main program area for the Institute. The pioneering research by SEI scientists identified the nature of human recreational impact on rocky shores in Oregon, and SEI scientists then went on to develop ways to monitor and minimize these impacts. The Oregon Territorial Sea Plan, designed to protect the Oregon coastline to 3 nautical miles offshore, was based directly on research carried out by SEI scientists. Our scientists helped to develop the plan. SEI has ongoing projects in three states Washington, Oregon, and California. We have developed monitoring programs for State Parks, Federal Reserves in Oregon and Washington.
Out of our research and our interactions with park and reserve managers SEI developed its Guidelines for Monitoring and Detecting Visitor Impacts. published by SEI in one of its technical bulletins Ecology In Action. This document has formed the basis of management in a number of US, Canadian, and international parks.
In the near future we will bring you summaries of our results and findings on conservation of rocky shore ecosystems.
At Yaquina Head Marine Gardens in the central Oregon coast we work closely with the Bureau of Land Management to protect the rocky shore habitats. Part of our original work on human impact on shores was carried out at this headland, and current management regulations are a direct result of this study.
Wheelchair accessible tidepools were constructed at Quarry Cove next to the Yaquina Headland, partly in response to our studies on human impacts. SEI developed the management and monitoring plan for this new cove. (We will soon have available the summary of this report by Drs. Brosnan and Yamada).
Quarry Cove wheelchair accessible tidepools were human constructed and opened to the sea in June 1994. This allowed us the unique opportunity to study the colonization of an newly formed bay. Quarry Cove the first year (Grubba, et.al.) provides a brief history of this unique sites and describes the colonization process on the natural granite and artificial gunnite rock.

SEI and the University of Washington, Friday Harbor labs developed a monitoring and management plant for Lime Kiln State Park in Washington State (Check back for a summary of this study)

Tina Davis and Mary Coolidge recently completed research on the effects of harvesting Tegula snails on the Oregon coast. Stay tuned to this site for their results and findings.