TIDES (Tribal Intertidal Digital Ecological Surveys) Project
by Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Resighini Rancheria, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians & Scripps Oceanography
01 / 05
1
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Territory
3 survey sites: Duu-ma See, Setlh~xa, and Taa-ghii~-‘a~
2
Resighini Rancheria (Yurok) Territory
2 survey sites: Hidden Beach and Omen Hipur
3
Kashia Band of Pomo Indians Territory
1 survey site: Kashia Coastal Reserve
4
Scripps Coastal Reserve (on Kumeyaay Nation Territory)
1 survey site at Scripps Coastal Reserve — currently conducted by Scripps Institution of Oceanography
5
Cabrillo National Monument (on Kumeyaay Nation Territory)
3 survey sites (Zones 1-3) within Cabrillo National Monument — currently conducted by Scripps Institution of Oceanography
The rocky intertidal is an iconic seascape of immense traditional, cultural, and ecological importance to Indigenous nations in what is currently called California. Indigenous Peoples have cared for these seascapes since time immemorial. Because these important habitats exist at the land-sea interface, they are particularly susceptible to stressors such as sea level rise.
The TIDES project can combine traditional knowledge with cutting-edge imaging techniques to achieve the best possible outcomes in the face of a changing climate. In this way, TIDES can provide an opportunity for communities to weave together knowledge systems and lead research of their coastal territories.
Collecting intertidal imagery on Kumeyaay Nation Territory
The TIDES approach uses a relatively low-cost and easily transferable method. Using a simple pulley system, we take thousands of aerial photos over about 180 square meters of rocky intertidal habitat, including the lowest water line to beyond the splash zone. We repeat these large-area imaging surveys on a regular basis to study changes in the biological composition of the habitat.
Analyzing intertidal imagery using Viscore
These high-resolution photos are then stitched together using structure-from-motion software (Agisoft Metashape) to create detailed 3D habitat maps of these highly complex ecosystems. Using a custom visualization software (Viscore) developed by collaborator Vid Petrovic at the Cultural Heritage and Engineering Initiative, UC San Diego, we can capture a snapshot in time of the rocky intertidal.
Watch this fly-through video of one of the 3D habitat maps below:
3D habitat map of Cabrillo National Monument, Zone 3 on Kumeyaay Nation Territory
Within the 3D space of these high-resolution habitat maps, we can observe which and how many organisms are present within the intertidal zone. In this way, we can learn from these seascapes without being limited by the tidal cycle and help to preserve a digital archive for future generations.
Examples of intertidal organisms. Hover over the information icon to view the traditional Dee-ni' names where available (shared with permission) as well as the English and/or Latin scientific names
Tidal range. From https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/nature/tidepools.htm
The TIDES project can provide Indigenous communities with support in a mutual knowledge exchange to elevate their vision, values, and priorities in protecting their coastal resources.
TIDES Project was co-created in partnership with the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Resighini Rancheria, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
For more information about collaborations, please visit the websites below:
