Citizen Science: Larval Blue Crab Monitoring Project Docent Manual
Date
2013-09-09
Authors
Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
Abstract
Department
Description
The Citizen Science: Larval Blue Crab Monitoring Project was designed to monitor the spatial and
temporal distribution of larval blue crabs throughout the Mission-Aransas Estuary. Blue crabs have been
deemed, by Reserve stakeholders, a critically important species because of their roles as a main food source for the endangered Whooping Crane and for their economic value to Texas fisheries. Researchers have called upon volunteers to help collect data that researchers alone cannot collect. Without the help of these volunteers the Reserve would not have the ability to do such thorough sampling. These volunteers or, “citizen scientists,” enhance the research potential of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (Mission Aransas Reserve) and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI).