Before the Big Seashell Survey started, there was little quantitative information on the species and numbers of shells that wash ashore at the Belgian coast. However, beached shells can say a great deal about climate change, environmental pollution, impact of human activities at sea and changes in biodiversity.
Keywords: Citizen Science, long-term data
Citizens active during the Big Shell Survey, help researchers in collecting and identifying massive numbers of shells (140,000 shells during four editions) and thereby examining patterns in biodiversity of shells along the Belgian coast. In addition, it contributes to ocean literacy and environmental awareness among citizens.
One day in March every year, citizens go to the beach and collect, count and identify shells according to a fixed scientific method.
Each participant collects a hundred shells and identifies the species involved with the help of the experts and a shell identification card, a field guide or the digital app ObsIdentify. After a quality check by the experts, the data are transferred to a database where it is further processed.
The training sessions provided under the LifeWatch program, allow citizens to become ‘experts’ in identification of seashells. This new community of engaged citizens is an important asset for further biodiversity research along the Belgian coast.
2021, Baltic tellin most common bivalve at the fourth Belgian Big Seashell Survey
2019, Subtruncate surf clam and common cockle most numerous on Big Shell Counting Day 2019
2019, What will the second Big Shell Counting Day of 16 March bring?
2018, More than 30.000 shells identified on first Big Shell Counting Day in Belgium
2018, Citizen scientists examine shells on the Flemish beaches
Nancy Fockedey (coordinator VLIZ)