Crab Team: Early Detection of Invasives |
As Program Manager for Washington Sea Grant's Crab Team, I have been working to design and launch a citizen science-based early detection program for invasive European green crab (Carcinus maenas) since 2014 - i.e., making friends and doing fun science with them! Believe it or not, getting to work with this species was the culmination of many years of trying, dating back to the early 2000's when I was an undergrad. This project dovetails perfectly with my previous non-profit experience, offering me the opportunity to apply rigorous science to real world problems, and pied-piper some helpers along the way.
I've had an incredible amount of fun playing in the mud with volunteers (see left). I've gotten to wander the shorelines in many new (to me) parts of the state, and just generally share the love for Washington's pocket estuaries. As a citizen science project, there is also a strong communication component, which is nothing but fun. I get to try out cool toys like infographics and Twitter. |
NOTORIOUS C.R.A.B.
Generalist PredatorOften listed among the world's worst invasive species, the crab primarily affects habitats through its role as a predator with a broad appetite, happy to sample the local cuisine. They also have good social skills (for a crab), and can tolerate extremely high densities.
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Global InvaderThe green crab is a worldwide invader, with populations established in almost every temperate marine habitat worldwide, and is still expanding its range in places it has lived for more than 150 years!
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SurvivorThe reality is, this crab, like all other invasives, is just doing its job, and a job that we all try to do well: eating and reproducing. This species has advantages that enable it to survive conditions many other species couldn't, and that earns my respect.
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Risk Map for Invasive European Green Crabs
Explore which sites are suitable habitat for green crab along Washington's inland shorelines,
what sites are being monitored, and where green crabs have been found
what sites are being monitored, and where green crabs have been found