The Rockies hit the field for the last 3 days. We set up the Arduino distance sensors to measure wave heights on 3 islets and left these for 24 hours. Meanwhile, we went out to survey the fauna on the rocky shores of the islets.
We sampled the most exposed islet and the semi-exposed. Our team turned out to be so efficient during the first survey, that we were given a second boat so that we could save time and transport all the group at once to and from the island. On the first day of sampling, all very content with our field performance, we came to the lab to do some quick sorting and species identification and go for a well-deserved rest. Only then we realised how long it takes to do all the post-field lab work! It took us roughly a whole day to write down the species we found on the first day onto the datasheet. With each day, we became faster in the lab as we divided the work during sorting equally, we recruited additional workforce (thank you so much, Stien Deprez!) and split the organisms into taxonomic groups (i.e. molluscs, arthropods, annelids, echinoderms and algae), each assigned to one of us.
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The
Rockies team in the field, starting sampling. Credits: Freija Hauquier.
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| Svenja surveying the mid-littoral zone during belt transect. Credits: Freija Hauquier |
On the other hand, the Arduino wave-measuring devices gave us a rough time. After all the 3 devices were assembled and coded, waterproof covers built and tied to the holding poles, we went out to put them on our 3 islets. After picking them up a day later, we found out that one device had its cable detached and did not record, one device had the sensor broken so it recorded only zeroes and one did record indeed, for around eight hours. But in this way, we had only information on wave exposure on one islet, instead of three, so we could not use it for our comparison of waves between the three islets.
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| The weather station we set up on one of the islets to measure the wind speed and other variables during our sampling days. Credits: Svenja Neumann. |
It was a disappointing outcome. However, we did not give up. We decided we need:
1) more powerful batteries to keep the devices running for longer (or at all :D),
2) another sensor to replace the broken one,
3) adjusted waterproof covers to fit in our new batteries.
Great! Let’s start! Where are batteries? We have no more batteries left, just 2 powerbanks, and they are both used by another group. We noticed that we can use a car battery. A little bit big, but we can put it in a bigger box and connect it via long cable to our Arduino device on the pole – we’ll manage. But what about two other power sources? After some diplomatic talking, we got the two powerbanks “on lease” for 12 hours. Fantastic! Let’s rock’n’roll!
Because we were already short on time and had so many things to do still (like the above-mentioned field sampling, sorting and identifying), Tim Deprez and Tim Tkint helped us building the waterproof covers for our new assemblages. We decided we put all the three devices after dinner and pick them up next morning. Svenja and I, together with Tim&Tim team, went on the boat. The wind was 59 kmh so it was very wavy and we were all soaking wet by the time we reached the first islet (I put my shoes in the waterproof bag!). All dripping, and some barefoot, we climbed the rocks with the first device. We connected it to the powerbank and puff! The powerbank doesn’t work, it’s wet. We tried another powerbank. Not working. Ojojof. We looked at each other – we have a problem. Two powerbanks do not work. By the time we come back to the research station, it would be night and too late to go out again. Plus, we just didn’t have more batteries. Disappointed and laughing histerically, we had a moment of contemplation. There is a solution! We will connect the device to the car battery and measure the wave exposure at three islets each after another. We will take measurements only for ten minutes at each islet, but this is the only way to compare the sites. And the weather shouldn’t change within next hour or so. Third time lucky – let’s try!
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| Svenja and I, Karolina, taking the measurements of the wave exposure for 10min at each islet using the only working battery – the car battery! Credits: Tim Deprez. |
We followed the new plan and came back with the devices. Our group was waiting on the shore. Minju looked very confused and worried when she saw us back with the Arduinos. But we checked the SD card and, as Tim Deprez says, voilà! We have the wave measurements from 3 islets.
Therefore, once and for all, we want to announce that after all the ups and downs, all the battles were fought, and talks were done, the Rockies finished the fieldwork successfully.
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Credits: Svenja Neumann.
By Karolina M.
Czechowska
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