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Salish Sea ‘slime’ vital for shorebirds

By Jeff Rice
Published June 3, 2016
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Studies suggest that western sandpipers depend on biofilm for close to 60% of their diet. Storey's Beach, Port Hardy, BC. Photo: Nicole Beaulac (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolebeaulac/26579296150
Studies suggest that western sandpipers depend on biofilm for close to 60% of their diet. Storey’s Beach, Port Hardy, BC. Photo: Nicole Beaulac (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

It turns out that a gooey substance known as biofilm is a big deal for Salish Sea shorebirds, providing critical food for some species. But could a proposed port expansion in Vancouver threaten this slimy resource? Read the latest article in Salish Sea Currents.