Youth for Arctic Nature is coordinating a citizen science project in Snæfellsnes, western Iceland, in collaboration with Snæfellsnes Regional Park. Participants will be collecting wildlife monitoring data and we will be interviewing visitors through a survey after the activity to learn more about their experiences. The wildlife monitoring data that we are collecting will be used for:
There are several groups who will be collecting wildlife monitoring information in Snaæfellsnes this summer, including the one you are volunteering for: the Ytri Tunga seal monitoring project. You will be collecting important seal monitoring information for us, and we thank you for your participation. In addition, it take many partners to put together a community-based wildlife monitoring project, and we would like to thank ours for this project.
- Scientific research on some targeted species monitored
- Environmental education and training to help youth and others who want to learn more about wildlife monitoring
- Connecting with local schools and local stakeholders in Snæfellsnes to establish long-term monitoring projects
There are several groups who will be collecting wildlife monitoring information in Snaæfellsnes this summer, including the one you are volunteering for: the Ytri Tunga seal monitoring project. You will be collecting important seal monitoring information for us, and we thank you for your participation. In addition, it take many partners to put together a community-based wildlife monitoring project, and we would like to thank ours for this project.
While you are traveling through Snæfellsnes you might meet up with other groups who are doing wildlife monitoring with the YAN app. Please feel free to do other wildlife monitoring activities while you are in the region. Keep an eye out for the Youth for Arctic Nature logo, and don't forget to take our survey at the end of the activity.
Thank you so much for all of your help!
Thank you so much for all of your help!
Download this information sheet and protocol in PDF format here.
Materials
To participate in seal monitoring, you need:
What?
Seals at Ytri Tunga belong to either of the two seal species that breed in Iceland (except for very rare vagrants). Here is a small guide on recognizing them.
To participate in seal monitoring, you need:
- This online information sheet and protocol
- The printed data sheet which you will get from hotel reception
- A pencil (or pen)
- Binoculars (at least 8x42). You can also borrow the pair of binoculars from hotel reception. Please return them when you are done
What?
Seals at Ytri Tunga belong to either of the two seal species that breed in Iceland (except for very rare vagrants). Here is a small guide on recognizing them.
How?
1. First, fill up the time and weather data section.
2. Seal counting (refer to the map)
2.2. Follow only the green paths indicated on the map, and count as you go.
2.3. After you return to the parking lot from point A, make sure to visit point B which has a great field of view.
2.4. After you return from point B, continue towards point C and end the count there.
2.5. You can walk back to the parking lot through the orange path to make a loop.
3. Write down your results in the printed table you got from hotel reception.
4. When you are done, please follow the QR code on the data sheet to take the survey about your experience!
5. You can deposit the data sheet in the box which you will find in the small building on the parking lot (point D)..
6. If you would like to share any pictures of the activity or the seals to us, please send them to [email protected]. These pictures could be used in social media or reports
2. Seal counting (refer to the map)
- For results to be accurate, it is important to count the entire area and not to count outside the area outlined in white dashes on the map.
- Be careful to keep track of which seals you have already counted so you do not count them twice. It can be easier to break down the count into smaller areas and to add-up numbers at the end.
- Try to identify seal species. If you are not sure about a seal’s species, you can count it as “unknown”.
2.2. Follow only the green paths indicated on the map, and count as you go.
2.3. After you return to the parking lot from point A, make sure to visit point B which has a great field of view.
2.4. After you return from point B, continue towards point C and end the count there.
2.5. You can walk back to the parking lot through the orange path to make a loop.
3. Write down your results in the printed table you got from hotel reception.
4. When you are done, please follow the QR code on the data sheet to take the survey about your experience!
5. You can deposit the data sheet in the box which you will find in the small building on the parking lot (point D)..
6. If you would like to share any pictures of the activity or the seals to us, please send them to [email protected]. These pictures could be used in social media or reports