Rockweed Monitoring
KELT is partnering with the Schoodic Institute to collect information about rockweed along the coast using simple, hands-on methods. Rockweed is a common and important seaweed in Maine, and a new program needs volunteers to help gather information about it at sites along the coast. Rockweed monitoring is fun! It takes a couple hours at low tide to monitor a site. Because the program requires some precision, it’s probably best for middle school aged or above. The fieldwork will include walking over slippery rocks and seaweed. At each site, participants gather information about the height, weight, and number of rockweed stems at a series of points in the intertidal zone.
Scientists at Schoodic Institute developed this monitoring program and are hoping to train volunteers up and down the coast of Maine. KELT is helping to rally and support volunteers for this community science program in the midcoast.
Why Monitor Rockweed?
Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) is the most common seaweed species that you see along Maine’s rocky coast. It provides important habitat and also provides income in coastal communities where it is harvested. Currently, no one really knows how much rockweed there is in the state, and that has made it difficult for it to be managed in a way that sustains both harvesting and healthy habitats. This sampling program was created to fix that knowledge gap and rally volunteers to help gather important information about how much rockweed there is along the coast of Maine.
Project ASCO
The rockweed monitoring program was created by scientists at Schoodic Institute, and its formal name is Project ASCO. ASCO stands for Assessing Seaweed via Community Observations, and it also happens to be the beginning of word for the genus for rockweed - Ascophyllum. To learn more about Project ASCO and access resources about it at Schoodic Institutes’ webpage, click on the button below.
Entering Rockweed Data
This project uses a data entry platform called Anecdata. Visit Anecdata to enter your data or see rockweed data submitted from other locations along the coast.
Resources for Trained Rockweed Volunteers
Here you’ll find monitoring resources, a calendar that shows the availability of the sampling kits, and a form to sign-out one of the kits.