The Little Guys Matter Too

Hi my name is Jessica Ventrone and I am choosing to do my first blog with a biological lense. So as some of you may know I am doing my capstone on the California Mussel so I am a fan of the little/overlooked residents of the beach. This past friday a friend and I went to Leo Carrillo Beach to look for some possible research specimens to later take back to the lab. Later we dissected them to get a general knowledge of their anatomy for further research purposes.

It amazes me what these little bivalves can do. Many people do not pay them a passing glance but they play a vital role in the ecosystem they call home. These little creatures filter a whopping 7 gallons of water per hour and retain most if not all of the toxins that pass through them cleaning the water in the process. They serve as a vital food source for many animals, including the soon to be discussed Sea Gull and also serve as a biomonitor to help us find out what is going on in our water. But back to the point, while we were at Leo Carrillo we noticed many creatures large and small, such as hermit crabs fighting over shells, sea hares and the ever so common Sea Gull.

Which brings me to my next point, many people look at the Sea Gull and see a pest who is ever abundant and not shy when it comes to stealing food, often regarded as “rats with wings”. But when  I see a Sea Gull I see an organism who performs a vital task to the habitat it lives in. Without these bold birds we would have trash and snack leftovers all over the beach. In other words they clean up most of the mess we leave behind. Without them we would probably also see spikes in prey populations if this highly adaptable opportunist/ predator was gone. Not only this but I think that the Sea Gull deserves some respect, it is a highly adaptable bird that I personally have seen even up in the Sierra Nevadas living happily at freshwater lakes. They are smart and tricksters with wings who often outsmart people in their quest for a snack. They are highly social animals who take great care of their chicks and are eager to share and spread the word about a meal. Also not to mention they are a large part of California’s identity. I mean when you think of the beach surely Sea Gulls soaring through the sky must pop into mind. Plus anyone who has lived near the coast long enough knows to never underestimate these birds when it comes to leaving out food and think just how many pictures, paintings and cards of California you have seen that include a Sea Gull flying through the sky. These magnificent creatures play an important role in our beaches ecosystem and deserve respect.