Keys Marine Lab: Living Laboratory Biodiversity Survey
Living Laboratory Grid Set-up
For each study site to be surveyed:
1. Drop marker buoys at the four corner blocks using the GPS coordinates.
2. Have snorkelers look for corner blocks and clip buoys to eye bolt.
3. Lay out 4 boundary weighted lines between the four corner blocks and clip to
block.
4. Lay out 4 weighted lines perpendicular to “shoreline” (aka US 1, typically
across current), clip between each pair of line weights.
5. Lay out 4 transect tapes parallel to shore (along current), pass tape under
weighted lines at each pair of line weights.
6. Transect tape transects are identified as 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 moving from
near shore to off shore.
7. Line intercept data is taken at every 0.5 meters along the transect tape,
using the 10 types of bottom/aquatic vegetation.
8. Belt transect data is taken as “number present” within 1 meter of either
side of the transect tape (2 m X 25 m belt); count all individuals using tick
marks.
9. Quadrat data is taken as “presence” in each row (between the transect
tapes) of the grid (5 m X 25 m belt) and is labeled quadrat 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
from near shore to off shore. This can be tricky for new snorkelers to see
cryptic crustaceans, mollusks and echinoderms unless they really get close to
the bottom. We suggest not taking this data quantitatively but instead, do a
snorkel survey for presence/absence information within your quadrat area.
10.You will need to print your data sheets on underwater paper before you
arrive
a. Data sheet templates available
11. It is strongly suggested that you plan to do a dry-land walk thru of the grid
set-up protocol with your students at KML before attempting to lay it out
under water.
Living Laboratory Sites:
1. KML site - high sponge mortality 2008, hardbottom in front of KML wet Lab,
accessible from docks
2. Outdoor Resorts site (ODR1) - some sponge mortality
3. Big Sponge site (LONG) – no sponge mortality, oceanside , off Long Key
State Park
4. Fiesta Key site (FIE) – high sponge mortality 2008, bayside, 3 miles from
KML
5. Bamboo Key site (BAM1) - no sponge mortality, bayside, 12 mile boat trip
from KML
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Keys Marine Lab: Living Laboratory Biodiversity Survey
Cleaning Up Living Lab Field Equipment
1. Rinse all equipment with fresh water and allow to air dry before storing in
field box
a. Weighted corner buoys (4)
b. Transect tapes (4)
c. Weighted lines/reels (8)
d. Clipboards/pencils (6)
e. Secchi disk (1)
f. Species ID sheets (Line Intercept, Belt Transect, Quadrat Transect I &
II) – (2 sets)
g. Rubbermaid Field box (1)
2. Data sheets
a. Rinse with fresh water and air dry
b. Provide KML Science Staff with a copy of your data sheets before you
leave and/or scan data sheets to PDF and email to KML Science Staff
c. Enter data in LL Biodiversity Data Excel workbook (provided by
Science Staff)
i. Return a copy of your completed LL Biodiversity Data workbook
to KML Science Staff
3. Return all laminated Species ID Sheets to KML office before departing
4. Store Field Box under Marina Dorm deck – behind lattice gate
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