Argyle Lagoon Clam Surveys

The Argyle Lagoon Clam Survey is the culmination of the 3rd grades’ yearlong introduction to marine science. Over the course of the school year, K-12 outreach staff visit the 3rd grade classrooms to introduce students to basic concepts in marine science, such as habitats, food webs, plankton, major marine phylum, and invasive species. These classroom lectures and activities serve to contextualize the end of year clam survey, as well as prepare students for later marine science programming. During the clam survey, students visit the Friday Harbor Labs Marine preserve at Argyle Lagoon, equipped with shovels, sieves, and datasheets. Their goal is to dig standardized holes at low and high tide regions, and compare the populations of clams found at each site. Under the guidance of FHL undergraduate volunteers and K-12 outreach staff, the students carefully identify each organism found within the holes, keeping an eye out for invasive Varnish Clams (Nuttallia obscurata). Students end their survey by comparing results, and speculating about whether the invasive species such as varnish clams are out competing native species.

The Argyle Lagoon Clam Survey is a longstanding monitoring project developed by Dr. Megan Dethier and Dr. David Duggins, and helped kickstart the current K-12 outreach program. The data collected by the 3rd grade class is an important component in understanding the health of the Argyle Lagoon Biological Preserve, and understanding the spread of invasive varnish clams. Native and invasive species commonly found in Argylle Lagoon are pictured below, as is the data collected by the 3rd grade class.

Littleneck Clam

(Leukoma staminea)

Softshell Clam

(Mya arenaria)

Bentnose Clam

(Macoma nasuta)

Varnish Clam

(Nuttallia obscurata)