Benthos Monitoring
Conducted through Broome Bird Observatory
Blue-spotted Mudskipper on the mudflats of Roebuck Bay. © 2004 Chris Hassell. Press to enlarge.
EACH MONTH a small team takes mud samples at two sites in Roebuck Bay, which has the richest biodiversity of any mudflat in the world. These samples are full of marine invertebrates known as “benthos”. The benthos are sorted in the Broome Bird Observatory’s ‘mud lab’, and then sent to a specialist team in the Netherlands for identification.
Long term monthly sampling enables the monitoring of seasonal and annual changes in invertebrate abundance. Everyone is welcome to join the sampling sessions.
Contact Broome Bird Observatory Warden
bbo@birdsaustralia.com.au
www.broomebirdobservatory.com
Phone: 08 91935 600
Roebuck Bay 2011 Benthos Sampling Calendar
Hello Kind Volunteers! Here are the proposed dates for the Benthos Sampling, otherwise known as fun in the mud! Hope you can join us to find out about all the wonderful creatures who inhabit the mud flats of Roebuck Bay. Morning tea is included, after we wash our hands, of course!
- Mar 13: BBO at 07:15
- Apr 10: BBO at 06:30
- May 9: BBO at 06:15
- Jun 6: BBO at 05:30
- Jul 6: BBO at 06:00
- Aug 7: BBO at 07:30
- Sept 5: BBO at 07:00
- Oct 4: BBO at 6:30
- Nov 2: BBO at 6:15
- Dec 18: BBO at 07:30
Dates may change subject to conditions so please contact the Bird Observatory before each session to confirm (office phone 9193 5600). Mud shoes can be supplied, but if you have your own, please bring them along.
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