Inter-tidal Survey at Ballymacormick Point
On Friday 7 October Mrs Monroe and Karen Sheil form the RSPB took 11j to Ballymacormick point to survey the occurrence and abundance of
various non-native invasive species. Our Ghanaian visitors also joined us, although they found our weather to be very cold!
On the shore we were given identification cards and allocated specific organisms to search for. We were split into groups to ensure
that a thorough search was carried out of rock pools, under rock ledges and in the open. We also used quadrats on the lower, middle and open shore to count percentage cover of the different seaweed species.
All of the information we recorded was sent to a data bank for the UK, which is being used to plot the movement of invasive species across the country, and also to investigate the effect they are having on the native seaweed populations.
At the end of the day our hands were frozen, but we had used sampling skills which we had been taught in year 10 and had practised using
classification keys to identify different organisms. We all enjoyed the field trip and are eager to take part next year to see
if any of our findings change.
Rebecca Moore 11E
various non-native invasive species. Our Ghanaian visitors also joined us, although they found our weather to be very cold!
On the shore we were given identification cards and allocated specific organisms to search for. We were split into groups to ensure
that a thorough search was carried out of rock pools, under rock ledges and in the open. We also used quadrats on the lower, middle and open shore to count percentage cover of the different seaweed species.
All of the information we recorded was sent to a data bank for the UK, which is being used to plot the movement of invasive species across the country, and also to investigate the effect they are having on the native seaweed populations.
At the end of the day our hands were frozen, but we had used sampling skills which we had been taught in year 10 and had practised using
classification keys to identify different organisms. We all enjoyed the field trip and are eager to take part next year to see
if any of our findings change.
Rebecca Moore 11E