Mini but mighty

Have you ever wondered what is hidden in the mud and sand below your feet when you walk on the beach? Mud and sand contain microscopic and breathtakingly beautiful shells of unicellular organisms called foraminifera. Foraminifera are tiny critters that live in marine and fresh water ecosystems all over the world. Although they are less than 1 millimetre in size, Foraminifera are important for ecosystems and can be used as indicators of ecosystem health. Learn all about these tiny creatures and what they can tell us about the West Coast of Sweden.

With detailed microscope photography you can see their beautiful shapes and explore how they live. Get involved and do your own ‘ecosystem assessment experiment’, using real specimens and microscopes.