Volunteer Research Assistant
Mussel Sea Grant Research, Gulf of Maine
Mentor - Dr. Cascade Sorte
Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are important both ecologically and economically, but their have been recent declines potentially due to to factors such as climate change, increased storm disturbances, and species invasion. Dr. Cascade Sorte received a Sea Grant to determine population trajectories of blue mussels in the Gulf of Maine by characterizing abundance, population age structure, reproductive output, and dispersal patterns. This work will allow us to asses the scope of current population densities and identify sources that drive population replenishment throughout the GOM. The survey involved visiting 20 field sites between Cape Cod and Northern Maine to get a sense of blue mussels population trajectory and estimate their fecundity. At each site we identified and counted species and than measures and dissected blue mussels.
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| Identifying species in quadrants every half meter up for 50+ meters |
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Searching for Blue Mussels! No luck finding any in Hamilton Cove, ME Dissecting GSI blue mussels
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Team work identifying species! Mastocarpus or Dumontia ... debate of the day
Northeastern most part of the continental United States in Lubec, Maine
What we do for science!
Kelsey Magrane and I at Rock Harbor, MA
