Sand hoppers reshape California beaches
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Along the California coast, sand hoppers, tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans, actively reshape the shoreline by moving up to 50 kilograms of sand per meter of beach each day.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and the University of Oxford discovered these creatures are significant movers of sediment, comparable to the work of rivers and longshore currents.
Tim Baxter, a physical geographer, and David Hubbard, a marine scientist, combined their expertise to investigate how much sand these abundant amphipods excavate while burrowing for food. The team conducted an experiment at Isla Vista Beach, carefully measuring the sand displaced by the sand hoppers overnight. They found the crustaceans create new burrows daily, seeking sand with the ideal moisture content, and their collective digging significantly alters the beach landscape. This activity isn’t just about burrowing.
Sand hoppers also cycle nutrients into the sand and aerate the sediment, benefiting other organisms. Furthermore, by loosening the sand, the sand hoppers can increase erosion and potentially contribute to the formation of coastal sand dunes, which are increasingly important for protecting against flooding and sea level rise.
Extrapolating their findings to a 25-kilometer stretch of Southern California coastline, the researchers suggest these tiny animals have a larger impact on the coastal environment than previously understood, highlighting the importance of studying interactions between living things and landscapes.
