Hello! We are here to update again! This is our second post with regards to our trip down to Labrador Park on 7th July. It was our third trip down to the beach and our first data collection.
First, we decided on the 2 areas to be monitored. One is where Jocelyne’s group had plucked out the sea grasses which are currently growing back, and the other patch is chosen by us for comparison and further succession. Each area has a dimension of 25X25 cm. We hammered tent poles around the selected areas with a rock. It was an amusing moment because there were rocks beneath some of the areas where we wanted to hammer the tent poles. The rocks were muddy too so when were hammering like there will not be a tomorrow, mud flew everywhere, ha ha!
Area being marked out with tent poles
Then, we analyzed the 2 plots of sea grasses with the quadrate for future comparison and spent the rest of the time squatting around the patch of Thalassia that we have chosen and poking needles through the blades of it. (The holes, which are at the end of Thalassia, will be used to measure its growth rate.) Poking holes through sea grasses may sound easy but it was very tiring (and dangerous- Mr. Lim poked his finger and it bled. ><). We could not really see the bottom of the sea grass and had to feel around with our fingers. Although it was only a 25X25cm patch, there were many Thalassia and it was impossible to keep track of the ones that had been poked, so we had to estimate.
Also, we did some coastal cleanup on the beach while waiting for the other group and this was what we collected! 😀
Most of the rubbish consisted of glass pieces, though we did find quite a number of clothing!
Not to forget our findings!
Velcro crab and its camouflage
Mr. Lim was thoroughly excited when he lifted the brick that Jocelyne’s group had placed as a marker the last time, and found that this little guy (as Mr. Lim calls it) was hiding underneath it. Indeed, marine creatures are professionals at camouflaging, none of us realized this crab was a crab when the brick was lifted!
We had planned to insert a video here, however, we do not know how to upload a video; adding media onto wordpress and youtube backfired on us! 😦
Blue sea anemone- You could say we’re friends with this creature, we see it everytime we visit! They are like the mimosa; when you touch them, they shrink back and grow bigger gradually later.
Another kind of anemone (with tentacles) at its larges!. We had to be careful not to agitate it to result in it shrinking back when we took the picture. Interesting find! 🙂
And last but not least, a crab of unknown identity!
Mr. Lim was yet again very excited about this as he and Jocelyne examined it closely. They took many many pictures and a video!
Again, we wanted to upload a video here, but D: So sorry!! Maybe, next time?
Here is a group shot with Jocelyne, our senior. 🙂
All in all, although the trip ate up our youth day holiday, we aren’t complaining! The day ensured much laughter and joy, as well as a deeper understanding toward our marine environment. We cannot wait for our next trip. Our bootees are ready! 🙂
Danielle, Jolyn, Xinyi
Labrador park 
Sincere thanks for a most Interesting blog =) It’d be great if you girls could post your findings on the chemistry of the sand in the areas where the seagrass grows. I’ve been wanting to recreate those conditions for a marine aquarium. Alternatively you could mail me the info.
Thanks again, and good luck with your project =)
From,
A bunch of other students who visited Labrador park once.
Hi,
I believe that the “Blue sea anemone” are Zoanthids.
Just a note, it’s best not to touch zoanthids with our hands that had open wounds or touch our mouth or eyes after handling them. This is because some zoanthids contain a powerful marine toxins, palytoxin (similar to Pufferfish’s toxins), to protect themselves against predators. Small quantities can paralyse and even kill.
As for the unknown crab, it looks like a Mole Crab. :o)
Nice post … the crab is really interesting. As mentioned by CH, the “blue anemones” are zoanthids and some of us only found out recently that they do excrete some sort of toxin. So, please be careful!
Keep up the good work!