Tidepooling:
Nature is our greatest teacher
Interactive Photoessay • Gabrielle Celeste Rancifer
Submitted: May 31, 2023
Introduction
Whether the eye-catching verdant terrain or aquamarine waves bring unique creatures into view, nature never ceases to excite, teach and captivate us. No matter the setting, the natural world offers a lot to humans – even the most obscure parts of it.
I spoke with many scientists and researchers while embedded at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. When I asked Scripps scientists, “What is something you wish people outside of your field would do,” many had a simple tip - "Take time to observe the world around you.”
For those lucky enough to live near the ocean, tide-pooling is a fun and educational activity for exploring nature. It simply means exploring the oceanfront at low tide and discovering what treasures the ocean leaves behind once the water retreats. In fact, many Scripps ecologists and biologists recommend it as a way to build a connection to the ocean. Sometimes you can observe organisms such as crustaceans or gastropods similar to the ones found in the deep sea.
Not many tools are needed to enjoy tide-pooling. In order to do it effectively, the scientists say to bring an open mind, not be afraid of getting wet, and
water shoes (or a willingness to go barefoot).
While it absolutely helps to go with marine scientists – they can identify and explain plants and animals – doctoral candidate OlĂvia Pereira recommends the free app Seek by iNaturalist, if you cannot tidepool with a professional.
So, next time you and your loved ones are on a beachy vacation, I challenge you to check the tide schedule and try tide-pooling. You never know what nature will surprise you with!
What is needed?
Step 1
Have an open mind!
Step 3
Don't be afraid of getting splashed or wet.
Step 2
Check the tide level and make sure it is low.
Step 4
Wear water slippers or shoes you don't mind getting wet.
BONUS
Use an app that can identify plants and animals, or go with a marine scientist!
This is the glamorous pair of water slippers masters candidate Michelle Guraieb let me borrow. Guraieb explained that shoes like these are ideal.
"You could slip in flip flops, and boots will destroy their habitat." Guraieb said with a smile, "I prefer little slippers like these or going barefoot so you do not crush them [animals]."
"I checked the tide chart to see when the tide would be low," Guraieb said. "If it is high, then we cannot get to the tide-pooling spot; the water is to high."
Sand dollar and barnacle - often barnacles are found living on top of other organisms in what is called a symbiotic relationship, where they are mostly parasitic.
"These are little bivalves," said Patricia Clark.
They are within the donacidae family, commonly known as the bean clam.
"They are an important part of the coastal food chain," Guraieb said.
"If you look closely enough, you can see them move," Clark said with a smile. "And to the left are mussels!"
Guraieb reached down to touch the barnacles on a substrate (i.e., rock/hard surface).
"You can touch them," she said. "Just be gentle."
Bivalves, seagrass, and Velella velella (or by-the-wind sailor).
"Velella Velella is a colony of hydrozoans that live offshore on the surface of the ocean," Guraieb said. "They often get blown ashore with millions ending up at beaches."
"These little pools have anemones, snails, mussels and a chiton," Clark said. "You can actually touch the anemone and it will feel kind of sticky."
Anemone tentacles can sting, but humans cannot feel it.
The barnacles are on the left side of the photograph. They look similar to reptile appendages.
"The anemones use their tentacles to cover themselves with shell pieces," said Guraieb. "The shell reflects light and to protects it from drought during low tide."
If you look close enough, there is even a green crab.
"If you pick it up by its sail, and look under it, the Velella Velella has tenticles like a jellyfish," said Clark.
"Here are more anemones without all the shells," Clark said while laughing.
"Look here at this sea slug," Guraieb said. "This is why you have to be careful where you step."
Guraieb pointed to the sea slug right below the surface of the water. It was inching its way across a chitin covered rock. You can sometimes find hermit crabs scuttling around them.
Sources:
- Patricia Lieberg Clark
- Michelle Guraieb
- Dr. Lisa Levin
- OlĂvia Pereira
