Semi-finalist 2025
| Submitted by: | Dustin Doty |
| Department: | Biological Sciences |
| Faculty: | Sciences |
Tucked between barnacle-crusted rocks and fields of seaweed, these mussels anchor an entire intertidal world. But this beloved coastline is growing more fragile. Rising temperatures, shifting salinities, and stronger storms are testing the limits of the species that live here. Simultaneously, invasive species like the Green Shore Crab are moving in. My research follows the story of these crab’s larvae – tiny, drifting creatures that ride ocean currents to new shores, creating chaos wherever they land. Their larvae may be more resilient to environmental extremes than our native species, giving them a dangerous advantage in a rapidly changing ocean. This image, taken in the very habitats these crabs may eventually invade, connects field observation with experimental science – a snapshot of a delicate balance being reshaped by invasive species and climate change. Every tide pool is a battleground of balance. Studying these larvae helps us understand not just where the green crab might spread next, but how whole coastal ecosystems like this one could be reshaped from the microscope up
Was your image created using Generative AI?
No.
How was your image created?
Photographed using a Samsung Galaxy S20 during fieldwork collecting prey species for an experiment involving the invasive Green Shore Crab – a voracious predator of mussels like those pictures here. This image was originally captured as a personal memento and later edited in GIMP to enhance colour balance and composition..
Where is the image located?
Tide pool at Tapaltos Bay, NW of Bamfield Marine Science Center.