Tiny crustaceans move massive amounts of sand along California coast
Researchers found that tiny beach-dwelling crustaceans in California move large quantities of sediment daily.
Sand hoppers reshape shoreline
Sand hoppers, which are shrimp-like creatures, excavate up to 50 kilograms of sand per meter of shoreline each day. David Hubbard from UC Santa Barbara noted that these amphipods have one of the highest rates of bioturbation on the planet. Their activity moves sediment volumes comparable to major Southern California rivers and coastal longshore processes.
Findings published in journal
The study was released in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface. These findings offer new perspectives on how sand-dwelling creatures influence physical coastal processes. The research highlights the role of these organisms within the larger littoral cell system.
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