Sandy beaches are dynamic coastal habitats, characterized by harsh physical conditions and low primary productivity. For this reason, patches of stranded seaweed represent a main food resource for resident invertebrate communities; particularly at the high tide level, where desiccation and low nutrient levels are most pronounced. My project will focus on the patchiness of seaweeds on Prince Edward Island sandy beaches and their influence on the densities of invertebrates associated to these patches. To test this, I will be sampling from a variety of beach types (associated to dunes, till, and sandstone) and comparing the abundance and diversity of invertebrates from seaweed patches with those from bare sediments located nearby. 

 The main goal of the project is to determine the overall contribution of patchy seaweed resources to the structure and distribution of sandy beach invertebrate communities. 

 The dependence of sandy beach invertebrates on seaweed patches has indirect effects on the availability of food resources for larger residents, such as seasonal shorebirds, and thus on the flow of energy to higher trophic levels in sandy beach systems. 

 I’ve really enjoyed going out to the beach to do fieldwork, especially on the days when the weather is nice!