Humans can have both a positive and negative impact on the environment, but what happens in Marine Protected Areas? San Diego’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network took effect in 2012, and in order to assess its effectiveness, the San Diego Coastkeeper initiated the MPA Watch. The project is designed to collect data on the ecological impacts of human use in the MPAs, which is then analyzed. Citizen scientists are trained to conduct visual transects of MPAs, and anyone can learn how to participate. Using a data sheet and detailed instructions, volunteers look for signs of human use like garbage, trails, recreational activities, and other signs. San Diego Coastkeeper ensures that data collection by MPA Watch follows state of California-approved protocols, adhering to the scientific method. All information will be used in the future assessment of MPAs in San Diego, and helps better understanding on how human use has changed since their implementation in 2012.

http://www.sdcoastkeeper.org