This project monitored intertidal assemblages and petroleum hydrocarbons for the US National Park Service at Point Reyes National Seashore. The objective of this program was to describe baseline conditions for Natural Resources Damage Assessment actions which may be necessary in the event of an oil spill in the area.

The rocky intertidal areas and seagrass beds of the park were assessed for the percentage of cover of plants and animals and the intertidal mud flats were assessed for bivalve densities. Sediments and selected bivalve species were tested for concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons.

A key component of this program was the development of a monitoring handbook which provides National part Service staff the information needed to continue monitoring activities.

Senior Marine Biologist Dane Hardin and staff marine biologist Ron Walder assess biological diversity in the intertidal at Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

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