by Hannah Webber
photos by Claire Wiley
A new research project at Schoodic Institute may be of interest to those working in coastal ecology, shellfish resources, mudflat management, and related fields.
Schoodic Institute has received a grant from an anonymous donor to investigate the distribution of clam siphon holes on mudflats in Downeast Maine. This project arises out of observations that on some mudflats, clams appear to be concentrated in the upper intertidal zone (in the cobbles), but on other mudflats there’s no such pattern. We are going to be investigating (1) how common the occurrence of this pattern is, and (2) whether we can relate any pattern to environmental or geographic factors.
Over the next three months (June through August) Schoodic Institute technicians and interns will be surveying 28 mudflats in Hancock and Washington counties—at each they will count clam siphon holes at set distances from the shore. I am happy to talk about locations and methods, and we will gladly share the results of the work in the fall with anyone interested.
