Project Videos

Below you’ll find a number of videos showing you how to participate in our research and experiments, and explaining Ecostructure’s research into how seashore species may be expanding their ranges due to climate change. You can access all our videos on Ecostructure’s YouTube channel, or by viewing them below.

Creating Eco-Engineered Concrete Tiles

As part of Ecostructure research, we’re looking at ways to facilitate the growth of marine species on concrete coastal structures like seawalls and breakwaters to benefit coastal communities and ecosystems. One way is by designing concrete surfaces to mimic the nooks and crannies found on a natural rocky shore. By doing so, we can significantly improve the biodiversity found on coastal structures — without impairing the structure’s original purpose. To determine how best to attract and support native species assemblages, the team at University College Dublin has been designing and casting bespoke concrete tiles that are mounted on coastal structures in the Irish Sea and monitored to see what colonises them. The results of our research can then be used by coastal planners and engineering firms to build surface complexity into existing and planned coastal structures. Take a look at the engineering process from start to finish in our new video from Atteyeh S. Natanzi of UCD College of Civil Engineering!

Seashore Snail Survey

Ecostructure project coordinator Joe Ironside of Aberystwyth University introduces our Seashore Snail Survey in the video above and shows how you can take your family out on a snail hunt while contributing valuable data in this citizen science project.

Learn more and upload your observations at the Ecostructure Observatory, or by visiting our Contribute page.

Sampling Topshells & Dogwhelks

Dr. Melanie Prentice of Aberystwyth University shows how she samples for topshells and dogwhelks and explains their potential range expansions in this video filmed in Co. Cork, Ireland.

Installing Eco-Engineering Experiments

Video by Jennifer Coughlan (Senior Technical Officer), School of Biology & Environmental Science, UCD. Ecostructure researchers from University College Dublin have installed eco-engineered enhancements in Malahide Marina! Check out this video with Dr. Paul Brooks & Jennifer Coughlan from UCD School of Biology & Environmental Science and find out how this research is investigating ways of supporting coastal areas in adapting to climate change.

Topshell Research

Our researchers have been out in the field sampling for native and invasive species on Irish and Welsh shores. In the above video, Project Coordinator Joe Ironside talks about how topshells may be using hard structures to expand their ranges northward.

Rockpool Point of View

Rockpools provide shelter from sun and heat for intertidal species. This video from Ecostructure researcher Atteyeh S. Natanzi takes you into these shallow marine ecosystems brimming with life. See how many different species of algae you can spot! We’re particularly interested in seashore snails you might find in tidepools such as these. If you spot any dogwhelks or topshells, take a photo and upload them to the Ecostructure Observatory.

Installing Ecostructure experiments

What does eco-engineering look like? Mix equal parts muscle and power tools, add some sturdy wellies, stir in a generous portion of careful observation, and bake for two days in just the right amount of Irish sun. Et voila: two installations finished in two days!

Dr. Paul Brooks took the time to set up this great time-lapse of our University College Dublin team installing some brand new topographic tiles. The tiles are part of Ecostructure experiments to test the ability of eco-engineering enhancements to boost biodiversity. By mimicking the surface complexity found naturally on rocky shores, we can create space for nature on man-made coastal structures.

Ecostructure Observatory Guide

The Ecostructure Observatory is a citizen science platform where we’re mapping changes in the ranges of sealife in response to climate change. This video walks you through the process of uploading observations on your mobile. Learn more and upload your observations at the Ecostructure Observatory.