Things that make my life easier

One of the projects I'm working on in this last month of summer is a repeat of an intertidal experiment we ran last year, with an additional control treatment. In our lab's various studies of rocky intertidal communities, a general method is to conduct regular surveys of the number and abundances of algae and invertebrates like snails.

Two of the most abundant intertidal herbivorous snails. The little snail is Littorina obtusata, the smooth periwinkle (and my favourite intertidal snail!) and the larger snail is Littorina littorea, the common periwinkle.

Survey method: 1. Place PVC quadrat on spot; 2. Record all algae and invertebrates found in quadrat

For field experiments, we set up permanent plot using bolts and washers so we can survey the same plot and track changes over time. However, the markers can be frustratingly hard to find again under all the algae, even if you know where the plot is.

One of my plot markers from last summer. When the tide comes in and out it vanishes under a canopy of algae.

So, the thing that has made my life better: pretty, eye-catching fluorescent zip-ties on the plot market bolts! They significantly reduce search time and make it possible to find and survey 40 plots in a low tide.

Bright yellow zip-tie tag on one corner of a permanent quadrat, labelled washer on the other.

They are so visible among the algae!! You can see more in the background...