www.main.net.nz

main@main.net.nz

September 2013

Manual for the online ‘Seashore Transect Data Entry System’

http://218.185.224.124/php/pc/transects.html The aim of this project is to provide an easy way to collect and archive data in an online repository so it is available for analysis, for comparison between different shorelines, and over time. Students can analyse their own data using Excel, or view the results on the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society project website. This system of online data entry may be used in any seashore environment as a project administrator can create lists of substrates and species peculiar to each area. 1. To start: ................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Login ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 2. Open an existing survey .................................................................................................................................... 2

a. Choose a transect and survey date .......................................................................................................... 2 b. Use the map controls to display different layers on the map ............................................................. 3 c. View the results at each quadrat on a specific date .............................................................................. 3

3. Data Entry ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 4. Validation lists ..................................................................................................................................................... 5

Transects Substrates ................................................................................................................................ 5 Species – number Species – percent (colonies) ................................................................................... 5

Acknowledgements

This project was designed for the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society who has a role in monitoring rocky shores in Taranaki. The aim is to illustrate the principle of seashore zonation, by recording the substrate and organisms along a transect from high tide to low tide; using the standard equipment of 0.25m2 quadrats. The Society assists schools with marine studies, and is keen to have information collected over a span of time and places for comparison.

Data sets for testing the system were provided from the field research done by Warren Smart, West End School New Plymouth, during his RSNZ Primary Science Teacher Fellowship in 2011.

The project was generously funded by the TSB Community Trust and the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society.

MAIN Trust NZ acknowledges the assistance of the volunteers who have tested and refined the system, and the expertise of Tony Stewart who has patiently revised and improved the concept.

Teachers in Taranaki are encouraged to use the set of Rocky Shore teaching resources form Taranaki Regional Council, and the guides and other publications from the NZ Centre of Marine Studies, Otago.

Seashore transects data entry November 2013 2 2

1. To start:

Login

The ‘user’ will see only two menu options, data entry and analysis

2. Open an existing survey

a. Choose a transect and survey date

Choice of surveys is displayed. Highlight one, then ‘Select’

The screen displays the survey details such as the weather, the tide times and anything else of interest under ‘comments’. Zoom in to the area of interest using the map toolbar.

If you ‘mouse-over’ a site on the map it will show you the transect name.

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b. Use the map controls to display different layers on the map

‘Show layer list’ to open the map menu

Note the coordinates at the bottom of the map; choose the system you to suit your GPS (WGS84)

c. View the results at each quadrat on a specific date

Click the Quadrat name to view a pane called ‘Quadrat details’, where general information and rock-pool water temperature can be seen (if it is recorded) Click to expand a list of records for each Quadrat.

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The results from two quadrats at the transect Tapuae 1, surveyed on 30-09-11 by Warren Smart. Quadrat 1 (high tide) Quadrat 9 (towards low tide mark) Substrate Substrate Species – those organisms which can be counted (#) Species # Species – those organisms forming a colony (%) Species %

3. Data Entry

Use the drop down menus to choose the Transect the date

Be sure to record who conducted the survey and to record the weather, tide times and the water temperature of rock pools and the sea. Log off when you are finished

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4. Administrators’ set-up tools: Validation lists

The following screenshots show a system set up for the Taranaki coastline. See the tools available to the administrator to add to the transect sites, and to add to the lists of substrates and species. Primary schools may find a ‘Favourite Rock Pool’ more useful studies, so these could be created at different locations.

Transects Substrates

Species – list for numbers counted Species – percent (colonies area)

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Weather

Application parameters

System parameters – set contacts

Users – set by administration