Group

Intertidal Crabs

Research Questions: How do populations of Asian shore, European green, and native crabs compare up and down the coast of the Gulf of Maine? Are crab populations changing over time and in response to warming temperatures? Where will Asian shore, European green, and native crabs be most abundant in the future?

Why this matters

New species of crabs have been introduced to the intertidal zones across the Gulf of Maine disrupting the ecosystem. We need more data to understand how these populations are changing and where they could have the greatest impact in the future.

Partner
  • Manomet
Season

All

Intertidal Crabs

Certain species of introduced crabs have been destroying eelgrass habitats and preying on soft shell clams and other small shellfish. Over the last three decades, some coastal communities have seen explosions of European green and Asian shore crabs. Are rising temperatures in the Gulf of Maine causing the changes to intertidal crab populations? What will happen to intertidal ecosystems as the temperatures continue to rise? To understand these changes and what we can adapt to them, we need your help. Join our project by contributing data from an intertidal zone near you.

Contribute to this project any time of year. Data must be collected within one hour of low tide and within a meter of the water line.

Learn More

  • Explore the project data and spot emerging trends or patterns on your own! Email Abigail at [email protected] if you would like an export of the data.
  • Read published student research articles about intertidal crabs from the middle school journal, Findings From the Field.
  • Find curriculum to support student learning through participation in this project on the Gulf of Maine Research Institute's Learning Resource Hub.

Project Owners

Marissa

Marissa McMahan

Manomet

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Elizabeth

Elizabeth Stephenson

New England Aquarium

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Project Partners

Manomet
New England Aquarium