Archipelagos

  • English
  • Ελληνικα
Who We Are
The TeamThe Team
Research BasesResearch Bases
Research BoatsResearch Boats
Our EquipmentOur Equipment
PartnersPartners
SupportersSupporters
Fields of Action
Marine ConservationMarine Conservation Fisheries Shipping Risks Seagrass Meadows Coralligene Conservation Littoral Ecosystems Invasive Species Jellyfish Sea Turtles
Marine MammalsMarine Mammals Dolphins and Porpoises Whales Seals
Terrestrial ConservationTerrestrial Conservation Island Fauna Forests & Flora Freshwater Ecosystems Aegean Seed Bank
Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research Microplastics Water Analysis Soil Quality
Projects
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Eco-Navigation
FIsh4Life
Save the Aegean
Join Us
Internships in the Aegean
Remote Internships
Interns Experiences
Field Courses
News
Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus
Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus
Tragedy in Turkey and Syria
Tragedy in Turkey and Syria
Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea
Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
View All...
Contact us
Publications
Videos
Awareness Material
Donate
Menu

Using Macroinvertebrates as a Bio-indicator for Seagrass Health

Using Macroinvertebrates as a Bio-indicator for Seagrass Health

by Kleopatra Delaveri / Monday, 23 September 2019 / Published in Intern Experience, Marine Conservation Team, Work Journal

Soon after arriving in Samos, Greece in June 2019, Vivienne and Amy transferred to the island of Lipsi. Here, they spent the majority of their internship working with Archipelagos on the marine conservation team; Amy, being a recent graduate who studied wildlife conservation and ecology at the University of Chester, UK and Vivienne, who is in her 3rd year studying marine biology at Northeastern University, USA. As they were very enthusiastic about gaining hands-on experience with the team, they started out assisting others with their projects like Carbon storage data in Posidonia Oceanica and coral health assessment. This inspired them to create their own research project.

They started out by asking the supervisors on Lipsi about research areas that needed attention and by sharing their own ideas, brought on from reading previous intern research projects. Through this process, Amy and Vivienne got involved in the ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), led by intern Deanna Atkins, which was being undertaken in Vroulia Bay, the sight of Archipelagos’ planned marine life sanctuary. They were able to gain practical experience in conducting macroinvertebrate biodiversity surveys which prompted them to propose their own project that aimed to focus on the abundance and diversity of Benthic macroinvertebrates at Vroulia Bay.

Surveys are conducted daily to gage invertebrate presence throughout the bay, studying the differences in communities across different habitat types (seagrass meadows, sandy substrate, and the rocky perimeter are the most common) and at different depths. Collecting this data is essential for monitoring the overall health of this underwater ecosystem, as population estimates of these species are a good bioindicator. Thus far, this kind of data collection at Vroulia Bay has not been done; therefore, understanding the composition of benthic macro-invertebrate communities not only further our understanding of the current ecosystem health of the bay but will also provide the base for future expansion of this research.

Another important part of this research process is the drafting of a research proposal, which Amy and Vivienne have been working closely on with the help of their supervisors. This allows them to gain valuable experience in scientific writing and designing data collection methods.

Amy:

“I first heard about Archipelagos through a recommendation by a University professor. I’ve been wanting to do an internship in conservation for several years but was unsure of who to work with. What brought me to Archipelagos was the fact that they were very research-based, so my internship would be less of a vacation/gap year and more of actual, hands-on experience within the marine conservation field.

Being here has inspired me; seeing the supervisors’ high enthusiasm when discussing our project shows their passion for their work. Due to this, I now know that I would like to study a masters in the future and continue a career in research.”

Vivienne:

“I am a third-year university student, completing a 6-month internship as part of my BSc in Marine Biology from Northeastern University in Boston,  MA. I am interested in conservation and wanted to understand how research and conservation can be combined, so an internship at Archipelagos was the perfect opportunity to learn skills in these fields.

For me, the highlight has definitely been meeting people from all around the world and getting to know them in both a professional and personal setting. I love being surrounded by passionate interns and supervisors and I’ve already learned so much from the people I’ve met. Another highlight is the fact that Archipelagos’ base is in the center of Lipsi town, where I can meet the locals and experience Greek culture.”

0
0
0
0
0

What you can read next

Acoustic Monitoring of Marine Mammals
Promoting awareness about plastic pollution through Media Team
From the Baltic to the Mediterranean, Microplastic Conservationist at Archipelagos

HIGHLIGHTS

  • International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    1 June 2021
    At Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation an important visit took …
  • The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    27 July 2020
    It was a great honor but also great moral support …
  • The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    30 June 2020
    Yesterday, during the President of the Republic’s visit to the …
  • Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    19 February 2020
    The Short Documentary Film presenting the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, …
  • Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    6 February 2020
    We would like to thank the International Propeller Club of …

Recent Posts

  • Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus

    Mass stranding of 12 Cuvier’s beaked whale on the North-West coast of Cyprus

    15 February 2023
    Twelve Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) have been found stranded, …
  • Tragedy in Turkey and Syria

    Tragedy in Turkey and Syria

    15 February 2023
    Our past week of silence across social media amounts to …
  • Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea

    Interactive Activities for the Protection of the Sea

    23 December 2022
    Before the closing of schools for Christmas break, students from …
  • Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

    Cuvier’s Beaked Whale

    20 December 2022
    Cuvier’s Beaked Whale in the waters of the North Aegean …
  • From dawn in the open sea

    From dawn in the open sea

    8 December 2022
    From dawn in the open sea, having 2-3 hours until …
  • Archipelagos in the 8th Meeting of the Members of ACCOBAMS

    Archipelagos in the 8th Meeting of the Members of ACCOBAMS

    2 December 2022
    The 8th meeting of the members of ACCOBAMS (Agreement for …
  • The International School of the Sea – Action Continues during the Winter Months

    The International School of the Sea – Action Continues during the Winter Months

    1 December 2022
    As winter is approaching, Archipelagos’ International School of the Sea …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands.

Our action is possible only with your help!

donate
  • Contact us
  • Placements

Archipelagos - Institute of Marine Conservation © All Rights Reserved || Web Design and Development by Red Web Design & Fekas Brothers

TOP