Beneath the crashing waves lies a world where the ocean kisses the shore, a world where an owl limpet (National Park Service, 2021) named Luma clings tightly to her rocky home. Her home and kingdom…
Monitoring habitats is crucial for their conservation. Like an annual checkup, monitoring can reveal problems as they arise and document current conditions. The MCRS 2024-2025 Mesquite Bosque Health Capstone Project’s primary focus is to create…
What Are Owl Limpets
California’s tide pools are home to many unique and fascinating animals; barnacles, mussels, sea stars, urchins, and more cover the rocks and create a balancing act between their territories. One especially important…
Beneath the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean, nestled among rocky outcroppings and kelp forests, a lone species of marine gastropod called the white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni) clings to the seafloor. These mollusks have an…
Groundwater depletion is an issue that is affecting many portions of the United States, and its management is becoming increasingly crucial. It is defined as long-term consistent groundwater pumping that results in a lowered water…
Deep in the Pacific Ocean, just off the coast of California and amidst rocky substrates inundated with algae, invertebrates, and groundfish, dwells the white abalone. Scientifically named Haliotis sorenseni, this large herbivorous gastropod has been…
Imagine a bustling city where individuals quietly work behind the scenes amidst the hustle and commotion; their contributions are often overlooked, but their impact is strong. Similarly, coastal and oceanic ecosystems stand as the unsung…
Background
Where do animals on the beach get their food and shelter?
Meet Winter and she is a Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). Since Winter lives on a beach in Orange County, California, she is exposed…
Gillnet fishing is a system that uses nets to catch fish, but unfortunately, it results in the accidental trapping, mutilation, or casualty of marine mammals like dolphins, seals, and sea lions. This has led to…
Figure 1 Wrack pile. Photo Cred: Laguna Bluebelt
It’s a brisk spring morning, and the sun’s rays are beginning to shine through the water. You’re in southern California so the water is chilly, but not too…