Population Study of Geukensia demissa and Ilyanassa obsoleta at the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER site in April 2008

During the dates of April 21-April 23, 2008, we conducted surveys to determine the relative abundance of ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) and mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) across Spartina height zones. Surveys were performed at each of the GCE long term sites (GCE1-GCE10) and were comprised of transect and quadrat sampling methods. Quadrats measured 25 cm^2 for mud snails and 1 m^2 for ribbed mussels. Ribbed mussel surveys consisted of both transect and quadrat methods. For ribbed mussels, a total of 10 quadrats were randomly placed in tall-, mid-, and short-form Spartina and number of visible mussels counted. Transects for ribbed mussels measured 50 m x 2 m and were performed in intermediate- and short-form Spartina zones. In each transect, we counted observed number of mussel clumps per transect. For mud snails, a total of 10 quadrats were randomly placed in tall- and intermediate-form Spartina and on mud banks (2 m from Spartina edge along the creek bank) and total number of individuals per quadrat were counted.