1. Choosing a Location

Good data is a product of a series of informed choices that start with where and how the sampling is done. Choosing a good location is important (see the protocols - simplified version coming soon) but practical concerns of accessibility are a priority. If it is too difficult to get to a site then future collection may be compromised. Official NaGISA sites are chosen in an effort to find trends in global biodiversity and so are located in relatively undamaged locations that are not going to change in the foreseeable future. For example, planned construction sites are avoided (but you may want to target them in an effort to study how the area changes with the new building). Don't be shy to ask for help... local expertise (universities, museums, nature clubs etc) will help you make the best choice in your area. (Photo:Italy Pisa by LBC)

Your options will be limited by accessibility, but you should choose relatively intact locations that reflect the general nature of your local shores. Selecting a rather pristine environment places the burden on you to maintain that state. When sampling, you should impress your fellow collectors with the need to preserve that environment.

2. Get Background Information

NaGISA aims at inventorying and monitoring costal biodiversity. Even if you are only going to go out and see what is at your local beach think about it terms of the global scientific quest that it is. Before starting ask your self some questions... What is biodiversity? What are the benefits of researching local/global biodiversity? What kind of animals or plants can be found in your area? Has there been any studies done in your local area? When and by Who? You do not have to answer all these questions immediately, but having these questions (or better yet there answers) in mind will mean your explorations will be that much more fulfilling.

3. Choosing a Sampling Time

Once you decide where to sample, read through the protocols (simplified version coming soon), including the instructions on how to handle the samples, and confirm that you have all the necessary equipment for the field and sorting stages. Next consult a local tide schedule (see the example on the right) for your specific location. Tide schedules can be obtained from local fishing stores, newspapers or by searching the web!

NaGISA sampling is done in both intertidal and subtidal zones, but intertidal sampling is the easier of the two. Different areas take different amounts of time to sample and so if you are unsure about how much time you will need, sampling is best done over a period of two very low tides. It is always a good idea to visit your site before sampling. You will get a feel for where high, mid, and low tide are and for what you will be dealing with on sampling day.

4. Making groups

You will be sampling at high, mid, and low tide, with at least two replicates for each tide height (5 or 6 replicates is what NaGISA researchers do, but even if you are simply doing this on a minor scale you should have at least 2 replicates to compare). This amount of sampling cane use six teams, though more than one replicate can be done by one team. We recommend having three people in each team: two to count organisms and obtain voucher specimens and one to photograph and record data. In the interests of allowing everyone enough space to work, you probably will not want more than four people in each team. (Photo:Shirahama Japan by T.Kato)