Chris Blondeau and Juan Carlos Yabar, did this survey to document the Invertebrates, particularly hydroids,sponges and colonial tunicates in the are where the turbine Piling was to be installed later in the year.
Tonicella undocaerulea: Blue-waved Chiton
Blue-waved chiton , Tonicella undocaerulea Photo by G. Fletcher
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- Blue-waved chiton, derived from a photo by Dr. Armin Svoboda
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- This set of images was taken of a specimen from tidepool# 6 June 2006 by Garry Fletcher
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- A typical background of Lithothamnion
We frequently encounter this 4 cm. chiton while diving at Race Rocks. It occurs subtidal at 10 meters depth. It also occurs in the lower level tidepools as the photos above illustrate. These chitons strip off several species of calcareous encrusting algae from the rock substrate, They are equipped with a radula or rasp-ike tongue containing iron filings.
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Mollusca
Class Polyplacophora
Order Chitonida
Family Tonicellidae
Genus Tonicella
Species undocaerulea
Common Name: Blue-waved chiton
Other Members of the Phylum Mollusca at Race Rocks.
 Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomyand Image File |
 The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. |
Chrysaora fuscescens: West Coast Sea nettle–Race Rocks Taxonomy
In October of 2011, Ryan Murphy reported many of these at Race Rocks. This coincided with a large infestation in Puget Sound at the same time.
Image by Ryan Murphy
Two individuals of this species were observed at Race Rocks in 1980, Photo by Pearson College Divers
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Cnidaria |
| Sub-Phylum | Medusozoa |
| Class | Scyphozoa |
| Order | Semaeostomeae |
| Family | Pelagiidae |
| Genus | Chrysaora |
| Species | fuscescens |
| Common Name: | West Coast Sea nettle |
Link to the Race Rocks Taxonomy:
Link to other jellyfish specimens from Race Rocks:
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students, staff and faculty of
Lester B. Pearson College, Ryan Murphy.
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| Locations of three of the concrete cylinders that we think we were used in the construction phase of the tower | Correct location as indicated by concrete adhesions on the rock surface | Cylinder #1 had become detached from the rock, as it was in a storm exposed area on the East side. |
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| Cylinder 2 lies down on the vegetated area. We have not determined its original location yet. | Cylinder #3 is in its original location, the only marker undisturbed over the years. | Surface markings on cylinder #3. |
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A significant reference in this article helps explain the occurrence of three similar markers at Race Rocks. This was in reference to Discovery Island, but the same type of markers occur at Race Rocks. ” Three cast concrete cylinders referenced the original lighthouse. These were positioned in a straight line with distances measured between each and the lighthouse.” |
| Cylinder #3. | Cylinder #4 was just recently found down in the surge channel west of the engine room. We are still trying to figure out its original location so we can reattach it. |
Materials for this file have been assembled in 2006 by Garry Fletcher, Educational director, racerocks.com, former faculty member at Lester B. Pearson College.
Salinity as an Abiotic Factor
Jeremias tests the salinity using a hydrometer. This manual method has been used at Race Rocks from 1935 until more recent years when a digital salinometer has been used.
For monthly records of Salinity refer to :
https://www.racerocks.ca/?s=Salinity&submit=Search
“During our project week at Race Rocks, Mike Slater, the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area Guardian asked us if we could make a video explaining the daily duties necessary to maintain the facility. Students who are relieving on the island during Mike’s absence will be able to use this data as a guide for performing their duties, as well as providing a useful information resource for students visiting the island.
These duties include two daily engine checks, a salinity check one hour before high tide, and keeping a record of the days weather, as well as explaining the functions and instructions for testing machinery located on the island.”
ABIOTIC EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON ORGANISMS
Organisms which live in Tidepools have to withstand changing salinities which may range from 0 parts per thousand to over 100 parts per thousand. Here is an example of an algae that in the summer lives in concentrated brine of the evaporated tidepool number 7.
Rob measures salinity with the salinometer in tidepool Number 4..This file shows the results that one class in environmental systems got when measuring the salinities of tidepools. Note there can be quite a variation in both temperature and salinity, depending on the elevation of the pool and therefore the frequency of flooding from the ocean.
Mean Monthly Sea Surface Salinity at Race Rocks-1936 to present .
Two decades of mean monthly Salinity records are compared in the following investigation.
Salinity Comparisons for 2 Decades
There are a number of interesting features of the two decades almost 50 years apart.
Some open-ended questions that you may wish to pursue:
- How do the individual months compare?
- Is there any evidence of a trend that distinguishes the earlier decade from the most recent one?
- Is there any evidence of a trend that distinguishes one period of the year from another?
- What could be the cause of any observable trends?
- Does geographic location of Race Rocks provide an answer to any findings?
- See the work done on comparing sea temperature from two decades for some other ideas.
- What would the graphs look like if you took the means of each month from the two decades and plotted them ?
You may also see the the raw data used to make the graphs in the two tables below. It may be useful in this format to clip and paste into an EXCEL workbook for further analysis. If you come up with any other interesting analysis of the data from this exercise or from looking at the complete data archive. We would be interested in carrying it attached to this page.
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TIDAL CURRENT :RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR RACE ROCKS
Complete Video Coverage of the Announcement at Pearson College
TV and Print Media Coverage of the event.
Press Release : CANA PARTNERS TO ENABLE PEARSON COLLEGE – ENCANA – CLEAN CURRENT TIDAL POWER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AT RACE ROCKS, BC Victoria
– Thanks to an innovative partnership between Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, EnCana Corporation and Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated, Canada’s first free-stream tidal power project will be built at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, offshore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The project will enable the world famous marine park to tap into surrounding ocean currents and convert tidal energy to electric power for its needs beginning in early 2006. Making the announcement were:
Gwyn Morgan, President and CEO of EnCana,
Glen Darou, President and CEO of Clean Current,
Richard Neufeld, British Columbia Minister of Energy and Mines,
and Stuart Walker, Director of Pearson College.
Gwyn Morgan
Officially known as the “Pearson College – EnCana – Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project at Race Rocks,” the project is enabled by a $3-million investment from the EnCana Environmental Innovation Fund. “EnCana is pleased to be a partner in this first-class, alternative energy project,” said Morgan. “Our investment in this B.C.-based unconventional environmental and power technology reflectsour desire to tangibly encourage innovative energy solutions.” EnCana’s Environmental Innovation Fund was established to advance new technologies and solutions that improve environmental performance associated with consuming and producing energy. Commercial proceeds from financed projects will be re-invested into the fund to ensure their sustainability.
Richard Neufeld
“The commitment by Premier Campbell in promoting alternative energy sources has helped British Columbia become a world leader in sustainable environmental management,” said Neufeld. “The province commends projects like this one, as they show our commitment to developing clean energy solutions that will benefit all British Columbians.” The multi-year demonstration project will involve the installation, operation and monitoring of a 65kW free-stream tidal turbine generator in the water near Race Rocks, a provincial ecological reserve located 10 nautical miles southwest of Victoria.
Glen Darou
Clean Current is a private British Columbia-based company that designs and licenses technology that efficiently converts the energy of tidal currents into electricity. Clean Current’s proprietary technology consists of a horizontal-axis ducted turbine with a direct-drive variable speed permanent magnet generator. The turbine generator is equally efficient in both directions as the tidal currents reverse twice each day. “This Canadian technology is simple, efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Darou. “We believe it is highly exportable technology, with strong potential to succeed in international settings. Our company is delighted to have the support of EnCana, Pearson College, and technical partners AMEC, Powertech Labs Inc. and Triton Consultants Ltd.”
Pearson College, one of ten United World Colleges worldwide, is the custodian of the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve, located three nautical miles from campus. Diesel-powered generators currently provide electricity requirements at the reserve. Students and staff will work elements of the tidal power demonstration project into their studies. “This is a terrific project for Pearson College, in that it supports our goal of making the ecological reserve a showcase for alternative, low-impact technologies such as tidal power,” said Walker. “We would like to thank Clean Current for their commitment to developing the technology and EnCana for the financial support that is making this demonstration project possible.”
Second Year Pearson College student Alyssa Holland (year 30) concluded the presentation , by thanking the speakers. As a student involved in Environmental Systems and the diving program, she shared the enthusiasm she has for the resources of the area and emphasized the great importance she and other students attach to the effort of those involved in this project in the ongoing goal of producing energy sustainably.
Dave Skilling
Communications Coordinator
Lester B. Pearson College
250-391-2479
www.pearsoncollege.ca
www.racerocks.ca
Aechmophorus occidentalis: western Grebe__ The Race ROcks Taxonomy
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- This Western Grebe was found floating at the docks at Race Rocks, Feb 2006
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- Cause of death unknown. This is a good example of energy input for the Race Rocks energy flow diagram.
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- The paddle-shaped feet provide great propulsion for underwater swimming while in pursuit of small fish.
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- The sharply pointed bill makes a good adaptation to its ecological niche food requirements. It can spear food underwater.
Western grebes overwinter here on Southern Vancouver Island in the protected coastal bays. Three pairs were seen in Pedder bay throughout January and February of 2006. They feed on fish at night following trails of bioluminescence as the fish swim through the water. ( see reference below)
It may surprize some to know that this is one of the few prairie pond birds which do not migrate South during the winter, but instead migrate West over the Rocks mountains to the Coastal Bays of Vancouver Island.
The Western Grebe is classified by the Alberta Government as a Species at Risk. This Field Summary gives further information on it.
Environmental Protection of the Ecological Reserve with the Installation of the Tidal current Generator at Race Rocks
This file provides information on the process used to ensure environmental protection of the Ecological Reserve with the installation of the tidal current generator at Race Rocks.
BACKGROUND REFERENCES:
Contents:
BACKGROUND REFERENCES: See Below
1.Permit Application for Research on the Ecological Reserve 2004
2. Appendix A– Energy at Race Rocks : The problems and Solutions:
3. Environmental Impact of Tidal Current Energy Generation on Marine Mammals: Addendum to Clean Current Permit Application: Garry Fletcher.
4. References on the effects of Tidal Energy Generation on Marine Life:
5. Information for the Race Rocks Advisory Board on Alternate Energy Developments In the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve: 2004.
6.Outline of Expectations for a Baseline Study and Follow-up monitoring of the Current Energy Project at Race Rocks:
7. Video of the type of organisms that grow in the area of the turbine site.
8. Pam and Jason of Archipelago Marine Document life forms along the cable path.
9. Video of impact of Concrete Anchor Placement for the Tidal Energy Project
10. Environmental Monitoring at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve related to the Pearson College-Encana-Clean Current Tidal Power Demonstration Project by Pam Thuringer of Archipelago Marine, 2006.
11. Environmental Impact of the Diesel Energy Power generation System at Race Rocks
12. Preliminary Environmental Screening for: range Expansion of generator shed for battery storage
:13. Preliminary Environmental Screening for: Installation of Electrical Cable and Conduits at Race Rocks
14. Preliminary Environmental Screening for: Installation of the Piling for the tidal energy generator:.https://www.racerocks.ca/bc-parks-impact-assessment-process/ Continue reading
Aechmophorus occidentalis: Western grebe- The Race Rocks Taxonomy
Western grebes overwinter here on Southern Vancouver Island in the protected coastal bays. Three pairs were seen in Pedder bay throughout January and February of 2006. They feed on fish at night following trails of bioluminescence as the fish swim through the water. ( see reference below)
It may surprize some to know that this is one of the few prairie pond birds which do not migrate South during the winter, but instead migrate West over the Rocks mountains to the Coastal Bays of Vancouver Island.
The Western Grebe is classified by the Alberta Government as a Species at Risk.
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- This Western Grebe was found floating at the docks at Race Rocks, Feb 2006
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- Cause of death unknown. This is a good example of energy input for the Race Rocks energy flow diagram.
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- The sharply pointed bill makes a good adaptation to its ecological niche food requirements. It can spear food underwater.
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- The paddle-shaped feet provide great propulsion for underwater swimming while in pursuit of small fish.
Research on Foraging indicating a night-feeding pattern is presented in the research of James Clowater, See this link to his thesis.
CLASSIFICATION:
Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Sub-Phylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Order Podicipediformes
Family Podicipedidae
Genus Aechmophorus
Species occidentalis
Common Name: Western Grebe
| Return to the Race Rocks Taxonomy and Image File |
| The Race Rocks taxonomy is a collaborative venture originally started with the Biology and Environmental Systems students of Lester Pearson College UWC. It now also has contributions added by Faculty, Staff, Volunteers and Observers on the remote control webcams. G. FLetcher |
2006 elephant seal notes and images
Feb. 13, 2006,( PB video) mating on middle rock http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/video_3/elsealsex1.mov
Feb,26, 2006 (PB photo)(not slash)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66339356@N00/1793559936/in/set-72157602768459534/
April 14, 2006: Census photo taken of middle rock at least 8 elephant seals are included.