The Health of an Intertidal Ecosystem Determined Through the Distribution of Two Mollusk Populations and Water Quality Testing
Faculty Sponsor
Grant Casady, PhD. gcasady@whitworth.edu
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Research Project Abstract
Commercial fishing practices endanger artisanal fishing in the Gulf of Nicoya area, prompting the implementation of fishing restrictions, leading locals to believe the ecosystem’s health is improving. We compared population densities of Tellinidae and Donacidae clams, and “boca morada” snails in Tárcoles, Costa Rica to data collected in 2014 and 2016. Also investigated was the distance “boca morada” snails travel in 24 hours in order to quantify locomotion of this species and we measured the valve lengths of the two clam genera for future identification. Finally, we took water samples from four locations and compared their pH, nitrate and dissolved oxygen levels. We found that the “boca morada” and Donacidae population densities have increased since 2014 while the Tellinidae decreased. We also found that some of the water quality factors tested were not within healthy ranges.
Session Number
PS3
Location
HUB Multipurpose Room
Abstract Number
PS3-m
The Health of an Intertidal Ecosystem Determined Through the Distribution of Two Mollusk Populations and Water Quality Testing
HUB Multipurpose Room
Commercial fishing practices endanger artisanal fishing in the Gulf of Nicoya area, prompting the implementation of fishing restrictions, leading locals to believe the ecosystem’s health is improving. We compared population densities of Tellinidae and Donacidae clams, and “boca morada” snails in Tárcoles, Costa Rica to data collected in 2014 and 2016. Also investigated was the distance “boca morada” snails travel in 24 hours in order to quantify locomotion of this species and we measured the valve lengths of the two clam genera for future identification. Finally, we took water samples from four locations and compared their pH, nitrate and dissolved oxygen levels. We found that the “boca morada” and Donacidae population densities have increased since 2014 while the Tellinidae decreased. We also found that some of the water quality factors tested were not within healthy ranges.
