GEOLOGY AND SEA ANEMONES FIELD EXPLORATION AT FOSSIL POINT!

This project investigates the relationship between marine life and the diverse geological features observed along the coast. While out at Fossil Point, I have been surveying different types of marine invertebrates, including burrowing anemones, kelp crabs, and leopard nudibranchs. I have collected data by reviewing images collected by a drone, conducting on-site surveys at Fossil Point, and reviewing local history reports of the area.

From the data gathered so far, marine invertebrates rely heavily on geological differences in formations, both lithological and structural, throughout their lives. Data collection has been limited due to seasonal constraints; the marine life has very low activity, and I hope to get better data in the spring and summer.

This research is important because there is little information that relates the geologic features of our coastline and the diversity of inhabited marine animals. Marine invertebrates are great indicators of climate change affecting our marine ecosystems. One sediment-dependent organism already impacted is the burrowing shrimp, locally extirpated in Coos Bay. We believe the marine animals and the coastline are important to keeping our shoreline communities safe. If we lose our coastline and the geology that protects them, we will lose a vital ecosystem keeping our shoreline safe.