An initiative by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) named as ‘Citizen Science' aims to increase participation of the general public... » More

An initiative by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) named as ‘Citizen Science' aims to increase participation of the general public with science organisations.  A Littoral Seaweed Project has been envisaged as a means of engaging communities to take more interest in a rocky shore that is close to them.

It is beneficial to monitor changes in rocky shore macroalgae composition due to the effects of climate change on species range and growth and the proliferation of non native invasive species in the habitat. It is expected important data will be gathered for SEPA to complement their existing macroalgal monitoring programme and to act as an early warning system in the fight to preserve Scottish biodiversity.

Project plans include;

• The ‘adoption' of part of a rocky shore by groups who will survey it once a year.


• Provision of identification training days, promoting different levels of expertise depending on participant's id skills.


• After training support includes photo verification by specialist staff.


• Creation of an interactive portal to ensure data gathered is uploaded into a database, with a map to give participants the visual stimulus of seeing how their input adds to the progress of the project.

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