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Using iNaturalist as a tool to document marine organisms helps with identification of species found in the area. Mm2 uses the iNaturalist community to log pictures taken out in the field of common and uncommon species in your area, allowing engagement into the wider scientific community.
When going out to do a Mm2 seashore survey, iNaturalist can be a useful tool to help you:
- Record the range of species you encountered
- Identification of species you may not know
- Create a species check list for a specific location that you can add to over time
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Uploading your photos to iNaturalist
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Pre-step - If you have not already, make sure you have the iNaturalist app on your phone and create a login for yourself.
Step 1 - Open the app and select either upload a photo from your phone or take a photo in real time. For the first time use, you will have to allow iNaturalist to use your camera or access your photos. Select and/or take the photo(s) you wish to upload to iNaturalist. You are allowed up to four photos.
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Step 2 - Select ‘What did you see?’, iNaturalist will make a recommendation on what it thinks is in the photo. If you think you know what it is, feel free to start typing and a name should populate. If you are not sure, use one of the recommendations from iNaturalist.
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Step 3 - Fill in the ‘Notes’ section with the following:
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Location on the shore of the species (low, mid, or high tide mark if known).
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Any defining features you think are important to note.
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Step 4 - Update the time, date, and location sections. The location will automatically be picked if you have allowed iNaturalist to use your location. If you are uploading photos after you have left the shore, then you will need to select the time, date, and beach location for your surveyed Mm2 area.
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Step 5 - In the ‘Projects’ section, select ‘Marine Metre Squared’. The ‘Captive/Cultivated’ section should default to no, but double check. You can ignore the ‘Geo Privacy’ section.
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Step 6 - Last, but not least, select ‘Share’ to post your photos to the Mm2 iNaturalist page. An expert will get back to you to confirm your identification. You will now have a list of the seashore species seen for future reference and as you gain knowledge you might want to help with the identification of seashore species seen by others.
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Coastal Care Workshop: Marine Photography
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The rain did not stop the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre from getting on the shore during our coastal care workshop "Wildlife Photography - in situ with minimal disturbance"! They joined wildlife photographer, Adam Brook, to learn more about photography techniques to improve our photos. We then practiced in the lab and down on the shore, while keeping as dry and warm as possible!
You can check out Adam's work here: https://www.instagram.com/a.brook.photography/
Some highlights from the workshop:
- Learned how to create different photo compositions by changing the aperture, shutter speed and ISO of personal cameras
- Observed how light can affect our photos and tested different light sources from lamps, etc.
- Interesting organisms found on the shore - a sea star that had recently divided, several half crabs and sponges
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New Zealand International Science Festival
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During the Science Festival, a collaboration event at the Royal Albatross Centre with Litter Intelligence, Mm2, and the Red-Bill Gull Project came together. Informing the community and to perform a litter survey and Mm2 on the rocky shores on Pilot's Beach.
Over 350 pieces of litter was picked up and logged on Litter Intelligence. The Mm2 square saw a wide range of anemones, limpets, and sand hoppers.
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Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @marinemetre2. On social media we post relevant articles and activities as well as share what our Mm2 community has been up to. So we want to hear from you! Whether it is finding something weird and wonderful or simply just a great day out exploring - get in touch with us so we can post it on social media or under 'Community Stories' on our website.
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How to change your photo exposure settings to get that perfect shot, no matter the camera
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