The document summarizes a student research project that analyzed how wave energy impacts biodiversity in tide pools. The students studied two tide pool sites of similar size and elevation, one more sheltered (Site A) and one more exposed to waves (Site B). They found greater biodiversity at the more sheltered Site A by counting species within sample areas. Possible reasons for the exposed site having less diversity included higher levels of predation and less nutrient flow. The hypothesis that sheltered tide pools would have greater diversity was supported.

1. Effects of Waves on Tide Pool
Biodiversity
By Emily McDowell, Maile Prickett, Amy Barnes, Carolyn
Ezell

2. Question: Is the Biodiversity in a tide pool
ecosystem affected by high energy wave
systems?
Hypothesis: There will be greater diversity in
tide pools that are sheltered.

3. Location

5. We went here:
X
X
Point
Pinos
Site
A
Site
B

6. The Waves
North
Pacific
Swell
Southern Swell

7. Project Details
• Analyzed data.
• Found tide pool sites similar in size and
elevation.
• Used half of a quadrat to count number of
species in each pool.

8. Tools
• Measuring
Tape
• Compass
• Quadrat
• Kneel pads
• The internet

9. Site A

10. Site B

11. Results
More diversity was found at Site A
Relative Density
Biodiversity Index
Scores
Site
A
Site
B
Striped Shore
Crabs
Black Turban Snails
Thatched Barnacles
Rough Limpets
Hermit Crabs
California Mussels
Green Anemone

12. What does it mean??
Possible reasons exposed side is
preferred…
• Predation
• Nutrient flow

13. Conclusions
Possible errors:
• Difficulty in identifying
areas of impact
• Identifying most
representative sample
Hypothesis was disproved!
The wave watcher. Safety first!

14. Future Projects
• Survey the area ahead of time
• Take physical measurements
• Research the various organisms

15. References
• Dr. Raskoff
• Dr. Durstenfeld
• Sanctuarysimon.org
• Mikey Selbicky (local
wave enthusiast)