Gurnard Vertipools
This page is the Biosphere portal to a citizen science project looking at a set of 5 vertipools in Gurnard on the Isle of Wight.
It will explain what a vertipool is, how important they are to our biosphere and introduce you to our monitoring project in Gurnard. If you are taking part in this survey, you can also upload your findings to this page.
Skip to observation form (where you can share what you’ve seen at the vertipool and upload photos)
What to do
Installed new in March 2025 we are now keen to monitor the transformation of a set of 5 vertipools in Gurnard. To do this we will be asking you to capture and share photos of these innovative artificial rock pools, along with providing observations you’ve made.
How can you help?
There are five vertipools situated on the new groyne built in Gurnard at What3Words location affirming.performs.money. Please help us to monitor the biodiversity that’s building up on these vertipools by taking photos and sending in your observations. You do not need to be an expert, but if you do see something interesting – try and get a close up!
Take photos: Capture clear, high-quality photos of the Vertipool. Aim to take pictures from different angles to showcase the pool's structure and the marine life it supports. If you can see marine life, like crabs, barnacles, seaweed or even a sea squirt, try to take a close up (without touching it). Upload your photos to the form below.
Tell us what you’ve observed: Include details such as weather conditions (especially post storm), and any observations about the changes you notice. We appreciate that not everyone is an expert in ecology, so don’t worry about having to identify species. It can be fun however to try! There are some good identification sites here:
How to identify rockpool wildlife - Discover Wildlife
https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/marine-life/rockpool-identification-guide
Visit regularly: If you can, we encourage you to visit the Vertipool regularly (e.g., monthly) and take new photos to document changes over time. Look for signs of ecological enhancement, such as increased biodiversity and growth of marine life. Algal growth is one of the most likely first thing to colonize, so even taking picture of algae is important! Please note – this groyne is new and there is a possibility that the vertipools may even get covered over by the rising sand – this is also a really important piece of information, and we would appreciate you still reporting this via the form below.
DO NOT: Please do not poke, prod or disturb the life inside the vertipools. Whilst we want to observe the richness in biodiversity, the wildlife is fragile and taking it out of the pool or poking it could damage or in extreme cases kill the marine life there. Please also do not upload any photos with people in it.
Add your observations and photos
Background to this project
What is a Vertipool?
Vertipools are vertical artificial rock pools designed to encourage new wildlife habitats on coastal structures such as groynes. In this instance they are even made here on the Isle of Wight by local company Artecology.
These innovative and bio-receptive pools are made from high-performance reduced carbon concrete and are hand-finished by local artists and specialists to provide surface complexity that supports marine life. Vertipools can be installed on various marine infrastructures such as sea walls, timber groynes, concrete beams, gabions, and sheet piling.
Why Participate?
Contribute to Science: Your photos will help researchers understand how Vertipools enhance marine habitats and biodiversity, the time it takes for biodiversity to inhabit the form, and the sorts of species found around the Isle of Wight.
Raise Awareness: By taking part, and then going on to talk to your friends, you can help us to highlight the importance of innovative solutions like Vertipools in addressing environmental challenges such as coastal squeeze (the loss of natural habitats) and sea-level rise.
Connect with Nature: We are lucky enough to live in a unique internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Taking the time to be out in nature and enjoy the beauty of marine life is not only great for your well-being, but by helping us to record it, helps to contribute to conservation efforts.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
If you are standing on the Isle of Wight, then you are in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are areas designated specifically as they promote the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and research. Vertipools can play a crucial role in these reserves by enhancing complex intertidal habitats and contributing to the ecological resilience and sustainability of these areas.
To find out more about our UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation, please feel free to explore the rest of this website. But don’t forget – log your vertipool update first!
Who is running this project?
The Isle of Wight Council is pleased to be partnering with the IW Biosphere on this project, providing habitat for biodiversity on coastal structures. It is a significant step forward towards sustainable coastal management, and it is hoped that this will be replicated in future coastal defence schemes.
The hope is that future research students will use the observations recorded by this project. The research will be available to anyone requesting it and we invite students studying marine ecology or related subjects to contact hello@iwbiosphere.org should you wish to use this data.