Point Dume Field Trip

1. Read/reread the section in any text on waves, tides, and niche requirements; write the book(s) you have read: _____________________.

2. Define the following words. We should use all of the following vocabulary on the trip; if not then ask:


2.1. beach

2.2. bench mark

2.3. diurnal, semidiurnal, mixed tides

2.4. high and low tides

2.5. kelp; what is needed for this algae to grow

2.6. long shore current

2.7. neap and spring tides

2.8. rocky shore

2.9. sandy shore

2.10. splash zone

2.11. tide pool

2.12. Udden Wentworth scale; especially the sand and smaller sizes

2.13. wave reflection and refraction

3. Answer the following questions about marine organisms:


3.1. How do sedentary invertebrate marine organisms such as clams and anemones obtain food?

3.2. What does breathing accomplish; how do these marine organisms breathe (organs or other means)?

The pre trip assignment and your original field notes are to be submitted with your report. Reports without original notes will be rejected. Wetted/ torn notes are acceptable.

During the trip: you will need to take data to use in answering the questions on the back of this paper. Read the questions before we leave and ask about parts that you do not understand!

Submit and/or answer the following questions in your report:

1. Submit a diary or log of all stops and events of the day; these are not field notes but a clean, well written diary. Include non geological events as well as your scientific observations. (50 points; note that this question is competitive and the most complete answer will get all 50 points.)

2. Who named Point Dume and for whom was it named? (5 points)

3. Sketch and label one of the two bench marks. What are they used for? (5 points)

4. The climate at Point Dume is semi arid. The plants reflect the low rainfall/high fog and humidity. Sketch and label two plants growing on the marine terraces. Then explain how they are adapted for the coastal climate. Note: to sketch a plant, show the general appearance/outline with an indication of scale and a detailed inset of the leaf arrangement. (10 points)

5. Sketch and label the sea stacks. What do they indicate? (10 points)

6. The thick, dark patches of plant material seen at the ocean’s surface are the tops of kelp forests. What does this tell you about the surface of the ocean floor and the water depth at those points? Why? (10 points)

7. Sketch and label indications that human activity has increased erosion along the edges of the marine terraces. There are several areas that show erosion along the walk up to the upper terrace and on the way down to the beach. You must also sketch and explain two of the methods the park is using to reduce erosion. There are several to select from. (20 points)

8. Sketch and label 6 organisms found in or adjacent to the tide pools/rocks. You may include fish, seaweed, etc., but no Homo sapiens. Briefly indicate stresses and/or opportunities each faces during low tides. This is your think question so spend some time on the second part of the question. The sketches and labels are only worth 4 points each while the stresses/opportunities are worth 6 points each. (60 points)

9. Identify two types of birds that are associated with the shore or nearby ocean; we should be able to see these during the trip. Then determine what they eat, where they nest, and what hazards we pose to them. (10 points)

10. The original pre trip assignment with signature must be submitted for each person contributing to a group report. (20 points)