noaasanctuaries:Citizen scientists play crucial roles throughout the National Marine Sanctuary Syste
noaasanctuaries:Citizen scientists play crucial roles throughout the National Marine Sanctuary System.In Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, for example, citizen scientists help sanctuary researchers monitor the health of ecosystems like kelp forests. Here, divers from the Sierra Club help sanctuary staff conduct surveys for sea star wasting disease.Over the past several years, sea star populations have declined due to this mysterious disease, which is believed to be associated with a rise in water temperatures. Some species of sea stars are considered keystone species within their ecosystem because they have a disproportionately large influence on other species and the overall ecosystem’s health. With that in mind, the loss of sea stars is potentially devastating to many West Coast sanctuary ecosystems.The data that citizen scientists collect help Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary monitor these important invertebrates, which in turn will help the sanctuary more effectively protect its kelp forest ecosystems.Want to help with projects like these? Learn more about citizen science opportunities within your national marine sanctuaries here. -- source link