The Wrack

The ultimate invasive species, the one that has penetrated to every corner of the map, left no waters or winds untouched, and helped all the others spread so quickly, is Homo sapiens.

For the last 6 years, myself and a group of trained citizen scientist have been monitoring marine invasive species on docks, rocky shores, and tide pools as part of the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative, or MIMIC.

The Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) is a network of trained volunteers, scientists, and state and federal workers who monitor marine invasive species along the Gulf of Maine. The Wells Reserve coordinates Maine's program.

Last Friday a science team marched to Wells Harbor and began a rapid assessment of marine invertebrates on and around the dock.

Here's a question: Do artificial substrates favor non-indigenous fouling species over natives?

Anyone who has walked or brushed by Japanese barberry knows how vengeful its thorns can be.