ZOOPlankton Monitoring Studies

Zooplankton are organisms drifting in oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds; in salt water and in freshwater. The amount and types of zooplankton present give us information about food web interactions and water quality. Data from the zooplankton project and water quality data help us understand food web and habitat interactions, deepening our understanding of the ecology of Otter Point Creek.

Because zooplankton are not visible to the unaided eye, their importance can be overlooked. We know that other "unseen" factors that influence life in the Bay can have devastating effects if they are out of balance. For example, water with low levels of dissolved oxygen "looks" perfectly normal yet can cause fish kills.

Research projects:

Development of a micro-culturing technique
The effect of changing salinity on species
Community composition in response to water quality parameters

Volunteer Corps

Joanne Mattson
Claire Hauer
Frank Mannone
Clarke Romans
Peggy Mannone
Nancy Newman Zooplankton volunteer
Madeline Lovera
Patrick Matejka

Past Volunteers

Trey Morton
Samantha Castillo
Katie Soltysiak
Brittany Long
Helene Klair
Linda Romans
Jeff Griffin
Heidy Blumenschein
Megan Gaesser
Jacob Corselius
Bill Roberts
Gayanne Basham

zooplankton

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Family Fort Fun12/14/2019 @ 12:00 am-12:00 amCan your family build a shelter that could keep you warm during the long winter nights? Learn a few winter 101 survival skills prior to heading into the woods to build your shelter.
Gingerbread What?12/14/2019 @ 10:30 am-12:00 pmConstruct gingerbread “cabins” with an eco-friendly, delicious landscape! Give away as a gift or keep for later as a sweet snack.
Pine-cone Palooza12/15/2019 @ 12:30 pm-2:00 pmPine-cones are a great way to decorate your home for the winter. Learn how to prepare the pine-cones and other seeds to use in different projects, then create your own pine-cone décor piece.
Tails and Tots12/15/2019 @ 3:30 pm-4:30 pmStory time with a natural twist! Listen to stories, learn new songs, and move like the animals!
Winter Solstice Lantern12/21/2019 @ 11:00 am-12:30 pmCelebrate the shortest day of the year! Search the forest for items to create a festive lantern to place in your yard. Finish with a warm cup of cocoa.