FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB 02/04/2016

Brown Algae as Niche habitats

In Lab: Processing Fucus to record ebionta
For each individual plant:
1. Wash and Enumerate epibiota
a) Wash each plant carefully washed with 500 ml of distilled water onto a 125 m or smaller
size stainless steel sieve provided.
b) All mobile individuals retained both on the sieve and on the algae can be removed by hand-
searching and using a binocular microscope.
c) Using a binocular microscope divide up the epifauna into family/classes and place into vials
of 70% IMS and label carefully with the same code within the bagged seaweed
a. Crustaceans (amphipods) b. Polychaetes
c. Gastropods d. Bivalves

2. Calculate Bushiness
d. The degree of bushiness of each alga is measured by calculating the ratio of the algal
biomass to the length of the longest frond. The higher the value the greater the degree of
branching. 1) Measure the longest frond. 2) Leave for 5 minutes following washing and then
weigh entire plant

3. Volume/Surface area
e. Calculate the volume of water required to displace the seaweed and use this to calculate the
surface area using the following formula:

4. Calculate Branching index

f. Take the longest frond from the plant and count the number of dichotomies (= Y segments)
The number of dichotomies is related to the size and age of the plant

5. Weight
g. Section the plant with a scalpel into stipe, frond and reproductive tissue (section of frond
with receptacles). Weigh each component separately and then total all three weights.

6. Calculate the surface area of Colonial epiphytes

h. Record the presence or absence of hydroid and bryozoan species. The surface area of the
bryozoans can be calculated using graph paper. Cut around the bryozoan and place on graph
paper and draw around the diameter.

7. Identification of epiflora
i. Guides will be provided and where time allows you can key out the species otherwise let
myself or the demonstrator know so we can record it

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB Dr Risn Nash

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB 02/04/2016

Laboratory Record Sheet #

Project Code: Site:
Transect Number: Date:
Surveyors:

Algae # Location on transect:

Epifauna:
Amphipods:
Gastropods:

Epiflora: Colonial epifauna surface area:

Bushiness:
Branching Index:
Total Weight: Length of plant:
Stipe: Volume:
Frond: Surface Area:
Reproductive tissue:

Algae # Location on transect:

Epifauna:
Amphipods:
Gastropods:

Epiflora: Colonial epifauna surface area:

Bushiness:
Branching Index:
Total Weight Length of plant:
Stipe: Volume:
Frond: Surface Area:
Reproductive tissue:

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB Dr Risn Nash

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB 02/04/2016

Rocky Shore Report Brown algae as

niche habitats on the intertidal.
Main report MAX 7 pages (not including references, title page, appendices) 12 pt, 1 line
spacing. Include a cover page that includes the title of the project or study, your name and
program, course name and date of submission

Introduction.
How to tackle an introduction: Firstly identify what the aims of the fieldtrip were (This will
actually go at the end of your introduction). This will focus your whole report!!! What
question did you ask? If a hypothesis is tested it should be presented in one sentence, near the
end of this section.
Now you can introduce a brief summary of relevant background information on algae on
rocky shores i.e. nature and patterns of distribution for rocky intertidal communities (i.e.
pattern of zonation), biodiversity. This will set the scene: Leading you to letting the reader
know why you are collecting algae on the shore and what your aims are.
Max : 1 page

Materials and Methods

As per handout is sufficient here as details on methods are outlined. If however you
changed the methods you will need to describe what you did and how you did it. Write
chronologically, in past tense. Include your methods in sufficient detail to allow others to
repeat your study if desired.

Results
Look at your raw data what is it telling you? The results section contains your data and a account of
your observations. Present tables and figures as your evidence. The text summarises your findings
clearly and objectively, without bias or interpretation. Report any statistical tests applied to your data.

Create simple graphs to illustrate the results you have gotten.

i.Displaying your data: line plots, histograms, tables

ii.Summary simple statistics: mean, range, standard deviation, standard error of the mean

For each graph table etc. presented in the results they must be mentioned and explained within the text
so the reader can get a better understanding of the information presented. Statistical inference: if you
want to do some self-directed study and further apply the basics:

Mann-Whitney U test can be used test for differences in population medians [excel calculation
table available from moodle] and in this case between different levels within the zone. It is

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB Dr Risn Nash

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB 02/04/2016

the alternative test to the independent sample t-test. It is a non-parametric test that is used to
compare two population means that come from the same population
Spearman rank correlation coefficient can be used to assess the strength of association e.g.
degree of bushiness with numbers of epifauna, In this case a minimum of 7 samples is
required so either combine group data (ignoring levels within the zone) or combine different
groups data within the same shore

Max: 4 pages (Each graph less than or equal to a half a page)

Discussion
This section allows you to interpret your observations therefore highlight main findings and discuss.
Did you answer the questions asked? Give them context and interpret in relation to published
information. Compare and contrast your data to information you obtained from background reading
and other transects and shores. Highlight any strength, weaknesses or deficiencies in the methods used
and make recommendations for improvement (i.e. critically review). Evaluate your results in terms of
the original hypothesis or questions asked. Explain the biological significance of your results i.e.
draw conclusions.

Max: 2 pages

References / Literature Consulted

Give full reference of any references (text books, laboratory handouts) you mentioned i.e. details for
all background information availed of in your report. Cite only material that you read or used in the
paper.

FIELD & LABORATORY TECHNIQUES 2ND YEAR AFMB Dr Risn Nash