[{"text_idx": "#000001", "text": "On Friday the 28th of January, a team of us started preparing for a week of fieldwork up in North Wales. A group of humans and one fluffy, four-legged companion (definitely the favourite member of Project Seagrass) helped fill 800 hessian bags and 200 coconut pots with sand and seagrass seeds. These were to be used in the experiments which lay ahead!"}, {"text_idx": "#000002", "text": "Bertie looking very proud of himself after assisting the team with their very busy morning ensuring all of the seeds were prepped and ready for North Wales."}, {"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "The aim of this week was to help Lucy Coals with her PhD research project (a collaborative PhD with Deakin University, Swansea University and Project Seagrass), which is assessing how different site conditions and planting methods affect the success of seagrass germination and growth \u2013 how interesting, right?! This work is essential to help us better understand the conditions that seagrass prefers to grow in, including light and sedimentation preferences. Seagrass is very particular about its needs and is a very sensitive plant, so understanding the optimum conditions in which seagrass grows is SO important when considering things like site suitability for large-scale restoration efforts."}, {"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "After a very scenic 4-hour drive, filled with the most beautiful welsh landscapes and two of our incredible national parks \u2013 Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia, 9 of our team arrived at the Lly\u0302n Peninsula in sunny but cold (nothing new there...) North Wales. Once we arrived and settled in, we tucked into some yummy pasta and headed to bed, making sure we were well rested to start our busy week of field work!"}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "After a morning full of briefing, organising equipment and kit, we made the hour-long trip to Traeth Bychan in Anglesey to reach the mid-afternoon low tide. An accidental wrong turn led us to the longest named train station in the world \u201cLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch\u201d \u2013 a mistake that we were NOT complaining about. Finally, we arrived and kitted up in waders and warm clothes, then headed down to the beach. Lucy demonstrated her 3 different planting methods \u2013 planting using hessian bags, coconut pots (which were slightly more exposed) and DIS (dispenser injection seeding) which mixes seeds with mud and is injected directly into the sediment. We then got started with the planting experiments and took sediment samples to assess the organic content and pollution of this site."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "The longest train station in the world \u201cLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch\u201d ... go on... try and pronounce it, you know you want to!"}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "We woke up feeling energised on Tuesday, with half the team deciding to head down to the local beach (Abersoch beach) for a cold-water morning dip. It was freezing and fantastic at the same time but what truly made it was the welcome that we received from the Abersoch dunkers group, who were not only the friendliest people on Earth but were also really interested in the work we were doing locally!"}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "Our completely crazy, bonkers team having a wonderful cold morning dip at Abersoch beach \u2013 surprisingly, we all felt AMAZING after this dip... maybe there\u2019s a reason why cold water swims are hyped up so much..."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "After another busy morning full of team briefings and preparing equipment and planting materials, we headed back up to gorgeous Anglesey. We split into two teams with half of us heading to Porth y Mo\u0302r and the other half to Traeth Lligwy. Just like the day before we kitted up, walked to our site, set up the planting trials and took sediment samples when low tide hit \u2013 and that\u2019s it! Another experiment set up and in full swing! Two sites down, another 2 to go!"}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "Due to the nature of the afternoon low tide, we experienced an amazing purpley pink sunset across the beach, lifting team spirit and moral \u2013 as the week went on, we were fortunate enough to keep being awarded with these mesmerising, colourful sunsets."}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "The most beautiful sunset over Traeth Lligwy filled with purple and pink hues. It\u2019s times like these that you take a few moments to appreciate the beauty of our stunning planet. GOOSEBUMPS!"}, {"text_idx": "#000015", "text": "Today we were heading to Penychain, where we spotted our first seagrass of the week \u2013 as you can imagine, the team of SEAGRASS ENTHUSIASTS were ecstatic with this discovery!"}, {"text_idx": "#000016", "text": "A beautiful patch of Zostera marina on Penychain beach... I mean... does anything compare to the vivid green leaves of a seagrass plant? I think not."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "Ben in his element. We also added these sightings to Seagrass Spotter \u2013 remember to add yours too if you come across a patch of seagrass!"}, {"text_idx": "#000018", "text": "When low tide hit, we got started on the experiments as normal but also did a site assessment \u2013 looking at the features of the beach like how much oxygen is in the sediment, what type of sediment was at the site (e.g muddy, sandy, gravelly), any signs of pollution (e.g runoff) and more general assessments like what organisms were present to be able to get a feel of whether this site may be suitable for seagrass growth."}, {"text_idx": "#000019", "text": "Lucy Coals using a DIS (dispenser injection seeding) to inject seeds into the sediment"}, {"text_idx": "#000020", "text": "Once again the team split up and headed to different locations. I (Lowri) teamed up with Anouska and Sam to collect some sediment cores from Porthdinllaen \u2013 which is home to my favourite seagrass meadow! After a quick species hunt like the children we are at heart (as marine biologists, it is simply impossible to not get excited over cool little invertebrates that you find in the field), we set off to do our actual work for the day \u2013 sediment cores!"}, {"text_idx": "#000021", "text": "A scallop resting in the beautiful seagrass meadow of Porthdinllaen (too cool!)"}, {"text_idx": "#000022", "text": "Anouska Mendzil is specifically looking at heavy metal pollution. This is really interesting because it can give us an indication of human-induced pollution over time, whilst also having toxic effects to marine organisms leading to a decline or collapse in ecosystem health. Sediments act as sink for pollutants but they also can constitute a baseline which future anthropogenic effects can be assessed. Sediment is totally underappreciated and we can learn so much from it \u2013 especially about the history of our Earth, now isn\u2019t that just fascinating?!"}, {"text_idx": "#000023", "text": "After a muddy, rainy and windy few hours, our samples were collected and the three of us had only one thing on our minds \u2013 FOOD! All of the team met up in a nearby restaurant to debrief and fuel up (much needed after a busy day)."}, {"text_idx": "#000024", "text": "A sediment core taken at Porthdinllaen beach. Some samples were taken past daylight hours, hence the bright headtorch!"}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "And just like that, it was already our final day of fieldwork! To start the day on a high, the whole team headed down to the beach for a cold water dip \u2013 not only did this wake us up (seriously, cold water works better than caffeine!) but it also ensured the day started on a massive high, full of positivity and drive."}, {"text_idx": "#000026", "text": "Team dip! This photo does not do the coldness justice. It was freezing... I promise."}, {"text_idx": "#000027", "text": "Abersoch was to be our last site for planting trials, a lovely beach surrounded by the breath-taking views of Snowdonia National Park \u2013 what a treat to end our week! Possibly even more of a treat was the fact that the entire team were together once again after splitting up into teams to finish our intensive week together. We set up the last of our trials whilst another mesmerising sunset bloomed around us like a scene from a movie. The sense of togetherness and teamwork combined with the setting sun and beauty of Abersoch was one of the most memorable memories and highlights from the week."}, {"text_idx": "#000028", "text": "The busy team mid-setting up the experiments"}, {"text_idx": "#000029", "text": "After an exhausting (but fantastic) few days of planting, we celebrated a successful week at Crust Pizzeria in Abersoch, where we toasted the start of Lucy\u2019s PhD experiments and the fantastic efforts of our team. As interns, it is great to have such a strong feeling of belonging, once team seagrass, you are always team seagrass \u2013 we really are a little seagrass family! Never have we ever felt so inspired and passionate about marine conservation and an urge to continue protecting our wonderful seagrass meadows."}, {"text_idx": "#000031", "text": "Tro\u2019r interniaid i gymryd drosto \u2013 Treialon plannu yng Ngogledd Cymru (Chwefror 2022)"}, {"text_idx": "#000032", "text": "Ar Ddydd Gwener yr 28ain o Ionawr, dechreuodd ti\u0302m ohonom baratoi ar gyfer wythnos o waith maes i fyny yng Ngogledd Cymru. Helpodd grw\u0302p o fodau dynol ac un cydymaith pedair coes flewog (yn bendant hoff aelod Project Seagrass) i lenwi 800 o fagiau hesian a 200 o botiau cnau coco a\u0302 hadau morwellt a thywod. Roedd y rhain i\u2019w defnyddio yn yr arbrofion oedd o\u2019n blaenau!"}, {"text_idx": "#000033", "text": "Bertie yn edrych yn falch iawn ohono\u2019i hun ar o\u0302l cynorthwyo\u2019r ti\u0302m gyda\u2019u bore prysur iawn yn sicrhau bod yr holl hadau wedi\u2019u paratoi ac yn barod ar gyfer Gogledd Cymru."}, {"text_idx": "#000035", "text": "Ar o\u0302l taith 4 awr olygfaol iawn, yn llawn o dirweddau harddaf Gymru gan gynnwys dau o\u2019n parciau cenedlaethol anhygoel \u2013 Bannau Brycheiniog ac Eryri, cyrhaeddodd 9 o\u2019n ti\u0302m i Ben Lly\u0302n heulog ond hynod o oer (dim byd newydd am Gymru yno...). Unwaith i ni gyrraedd a setlo i mewn, fe wnaethon ni bwyta pasta blasus a mynd i\u2019r gwely, gan wneud yn siw\u0302r ein bod wedi gorffwys yn dda i ddechrau ein hwythnos brysur o waith maes!"}, {"text_idx": "#000036", "text": "Ar o\u0302l bore llawn briffio a threfnu offer a chit, fe wnaethom y daith awr o hyd i Draeth Bychan yn Ynys Mo\u0302n i gyrraedd y llanw isel ganol prynhawn. Arweiniodd tro anghywir at yr orsaf dre\u0302n a\u2019r enw hiraf yn y byd \u201cLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch\u201d \u2013 camgymeriad NAD oeddem yn cwyno amdano. O\u2019r diwedd, cyraeddasom a newidiasom ni mewn i ein citiau a rhagor o ddillad cynnes, yna aethom i lawr i\u2019r traeth. Dangosodd Lucy ei 3 dull plannu gwahanol \u2013 plannu gan ddefnyddio bagiau hesian, potiau cnau coco (a oedd ychydig yn fwy agored i\u2019r elfennau) a DIS (dosbarthwr chwistrelliad hadau) sy\u2019n cymysgu hadau a\u0302 mwd ac yn cael ei chwistrellu\u2019n uniongyrchol i\u2019r gwaddod. Yna fe ddechreuon ni gyda\u2019r arbrofion plannu a chymerasom samplau gwaddod i asesu cynnwys organig a llygredd y safle hwn."}, {"text_idx": "#000037", "text": "Ar o\u0302l diwrnod cyntaf prysur, aethom yn o\u0302l i\u2019n llety, yn flinedig ond mewn hwyliau da. Does dim byd tebyg i\u2019r teimlad o gwblhau\u2019r diwrnod cyntaf o waith maes yn llwyddiannus ar o\u0302l llawer o gynllunio dirdynnol i sicrhau bod popeth yn rhedeg yn ysgafn!"}, {"text_idx": "#000039", "text": "Yr orsaf dre\u0302n a\u2019r enw hiraf yn y byd \u201cLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Yn y cyfieithiad Saesneg, rydym yn ofyn i chi drio ynganu\u2019r enw\u2019r orsaf ond os ydych yn gallu siarad Cymraeg mae\u2019n debyg mai dyma\u2019ch tric parti eisoes..."}, {"text_idx": "#000040", "text": "Deffrom yn teimlo\u2019n llawn egni, gyda hanner y ti\u0302m yn penderfynu mynd lawr i\u2019r traeth lleol (traeth Abersoch) am dip dw\u0302r oer. Roedd yn rhewllyd ac yn rhyfeddol ar yr un pryd ond yr hyn a\u2019i gwnaeth yn hyd yn oed yn well oedd y croeso a gawsom gan y grw\u0302p \u2018Abersoch dunkers\u2019, a oedd nid yn unig y bobl fwyaf cyfeillgar ar y Ddaear ond hefyd a\u0302 diddordeb mawr yn y gwaith yr oeddem yn ei wneud yn lleol!"}, {"text_idx": "#000041", "text": "Ein ti\u0302m hollol wallgof, boncyrs yn cael dip oer bendigedig ar draeth Abersoch \u2013 roedden ni i gyd yn teimlo\u2019n ANHYGOEL ar o\u0302l y bore hwn... efallai fod rheswm pam fod nofio dw\u0302r oer yn cael ei brolio cymaint... dyma beth annisgwyl!"}, {"text_idx": "#000042", "text": "Ar o\u0302l bore hectig arall llawn sesiynau briffio ti\u0302m a pharatoi offer a deunyddiau plannu, aethom yn o\u0302l i Ynys Mo\u0302n. Rhannwyd yn ddau di\u0302m gyda hanner ohonom yn mynd i Borth y Mo\u0302r a\u2019r hanner arall i Draeth Lligwy. Yn union fel y diwrnod cyn, cerddasom ni i\u2019n safle, sefydlon y treialon plannu a chymeron samplau gwaddod pan darodd y llanw isel \u2013 a dyna ni! Arbrawf arall wedi ei sefydlu ac ar ei anterth! Dau safle i lawr, 2 arall i fynd!"}, {"text_idx": "#000043", "text": "Oherwydd natur llanw isel y prynhawn, cafwyd machlud haul pinc porffor anhygoel ar draws y traeth, gan godi ysbryd ti\u0302m a moesoldeb \u2013 wrth i\u2019r wythnos fynd yn ei blaen, roeddem yn ddigon ffodus i barhau i gael ein gwobrwyo a\u0302\u2019r machlud hudolus, lliwgar hyn."}, {"text_idx": "#000044", "text": "Roedd y machlud harddaf dros Draeth Lligwy yn llawn arlliwiau porffor a phinc. Ar adegau fel hyn rydych chi\u2019n cymryd ychydig o eiliadau i werthfawrogi harddwch ein planed anhygoel. Goosebumps!"}, {"text_idx": "#000046", "text": "Heddiw roeddem ar ein ffordd i Benychain, lle gwelsom ein morwellt cyntaf yr wythnos \u2013 fel y gallwch ddychmygu, roedd y ti\u0302m o SELOGION MORWELLT wrth eu bodd gyda\u2019r darganfyddiad hwn!"}, {"text_idx": "#000047", "text": "Clytiau hardd o wellt y gamlas (Zostera marina) ar draeth Penychain... a oes unrhyw beth yn cymharu a\u0302 dail gwyrdd llachar planhigyn morwellt? Dydw i ddim yn argyhoeddedig..."}, {"text_idx": "#000048", "text": "Ben yn ei elfen. Fe wnaethom hefyd ychwanegu lluniau o\u2019r hyn a welsom ar SeagrassSpotter- cofiwch ychwanegu eich rhai chi hefyd os dewch ar draws clwt o forwellt!"}, {"text_idx": "#000049", "text": "Pan darodd y llanw isel, fe ddechreuon ni ar yr arbrofion fel arfer ond hefyd heddiw gwnaethon ni asesiad safle \u2013 edrych ar nodweddion y traeth fel faint o ocsigen sydd yn y gwaddod, pa fath o waddod oedd yn y safle (e.e mwdlyd, tywodlyd, graeanog), unrhyw arwyddion o lygredd (e.e dw\u0302r ffo, olew ar y traeth) ac asesiadau mwy cyffredinol fel pa organebau oedd yn bresennol, er mwyn gallu cael syniad a allai\u2019r safle hwn fod yn addas ar gyfer tyfiant morwellt."}, {"text_idx": "#000050", "text": "Lucy Coals yn defnyddio DIS (dosbarthwr chwistrelliad hadau) i chwistrellu hadau i mewn i\u2019r gwaddod."}, {"text_idx": "#000051", "text": "Unwaith eto gwahanodd y ti\u0302m i fynd i safleoedd gwahanol. Fe wnes i (Lowri) ymuno ag Anouska a Sam i gasglu creiddiau gwaddod o Borthdinllaen \u2013 sy\u2019n gartref i fy hoff ddo\u0302l forwellt! Ar o\u0302l helfa rhywogaethau fel y plant rydym yn ar y tu fewn (fel biolegwyr morol, yn syml iawn, mae\u2019n amhosibl peidio a\u0302 chynhyrfu dros yr infertebratau bach cw\u0302l rydych chi\u2019n dod o hyd iddo yn y maes), fe wnaethon ni fynd ati i wneud ein gwaith go iawn am y dydd \u2013 creiddiau gwaddod!"}, {"text_idx": "#000052", "text": "Cragen fylchog yn gorffwys yn ddo\u0302l morwellt hardd Porthdinllaen (rhy cw\u0302l!)"}, {"text_idx": "#000053", "text": "Yn benodol, mae Anouska Mendzil yn defnyddio\u2019r creiddiau gwaddod i edrych ar lygredd metel trwm. Gall y gwaith yma roi syniad i ni o lygredd anthropogenig (gan ddyn) a achosir dros amser, tra hefyd cael effeithiau gwenwynig i organebau morol sydd gallu arwain at ddirywiad neu gwymp yn iechyd ecosystemau. Mae gwaddodion yn gweithredu fel sinc ar gyfer llygryddion ond gallant hefyd fod yn waelodlin y gellir defnyddio i asesu effeithiau anthropogenig yn y dyfodol. Nid yw gwaddod yn cael ei werthfawrogi\u2019n ddigonol a gallwn ddysgu cymaint ohono \u2013 yn enwedig am hanes ein Daear, nawr onid yw hynny\u2019n hynod gyfareddol?!"}, {"text_idx": "#000054", "text": "Ar o\u0302l ychydig o oriau mwdlyd, glawog a gwyntog, casglwyd ein samplau ac roedd gan y tri ohonom un peth ar ein meddyliau \u2013 BWYD! Cyfarfu\u2019r ti\u0302m i gyd mewn bwyty cyfagos i adrodd yn o\u0302l ac i ail-lenwi ein stumogau (angen mawr ar o\u0302l diwrnod prysur)."}, {"text_idx": "#000055", "text": "Craidd gwaddod a gymerwyd ar draeth Porthdinllaen. Cymerwyd rhai samplau y tu hwnt i olau dydd, a dyna\u2019r rheswm am y ffagl pen llachar!"}, {"text_idx": "#000056", "text": "Ac yn union fel hynny, dyma oedd ein diwrnod olaf o waith maes yn barod! I ddechrau\u2019r diwrnod yn iawn, aeth y ti\u0302m cyfan i lawr i\u2019r traeth am ddip dw\u0302r oer \u2013 nid yn unig wnaeth hyn ein deffro (o ddifrif, mae dw\u0302r oer yn gweithio\u2019n well na chaffein!) ond fe sicrhaodd y byddai gweddill y dydd llawn o bositifrwydd a brwdfrydedd."}, {"text_idx": "#000057", "text": "Dip ti\u0302m! Nid yw\u2019r llun hwn yn gwneud cyfiawnder a\u0302\u2019r oerni. Roedd yn rhewi... dwi\u2019n addo."}, {"text_idx": "#000058", "text": "Abersoch oedd ein safle olaf ar gyfer treialon plannu, traeth hyfryd wedi\u2019i amgylchynu gan olygfeydd syfrdanol Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri \u2013 am wledd i gloi ein hwythnos! Mwy o bleser o bosib oedd y ffaith fod y ti\u0302m cyfan gyda\u2019i gilydd unwaith eto ar o\u0302l wahanu mewn i dimau i orffen ein hwythnos ddwys gyda\u2019n gilydd. Fe wnaethon ni sefydlu\u2019r treialon olaf tra bod machlud hudolus arall yn blodeuo o\u2019n cwmpas fel golygfa o ffilm. Roedd yr ymdeimlad o undod a gwaith ti\u0302m ynghyd a\u0302\u2019r machlud a harddwch Abersoch yn un o atgofion ac uchafbwyntiau mwyaf cofiadwy\u2019r wythnos."}, {"text_idx": "#000059", "text": "Y ti\u0302m gweithgar yn ganol sefydlu\u2019r arbrofion"}, {"text_idx": "#000060", "text": "Ar o\u0302l ychydig o ddyddiau blinedig (ond gwych) o blannu, buom yn dathlu wythnos lwyddiannus yn Crust Pizzeria yn Abersoch, lle buom yn tostio dechrau arbrofion PhD Lucy a\u2019n ymdrechion gwych y ti\u0302m. Fel interniaid, mae\u2019n wych cael teimlad mor gryf o berthyn, unwaith y byddwch yn rhan o di\u0302m morwellt, byddwch wastad yn rhan o di\u0302m morwellt \u2013 rydyn ni wir yn deulu forwellt bach! Nid ydym erioed wedi teimlo cymaint o ysbrydoliaeth ac angerdd dros gadwraeth forol ac ysfa i barhau i warchod ein dolydd morwellt bendigedig."}, {"text_idx": "#000062", "text": "Project Seagrass is an marine conservation charity dedicated to ensuring that seagrass meadows are protected globally, for the biodiversity and people that depend on them."}, {"text_idx": "#000063", "text": "Registered Charity in England and Wales"}]