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These data describe the abundance and size of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) within permanent plots of a long-term experiment designed to examine trajectories of change in the structure and productivity of kelp forest communities in response to changes in the frequency and severity of disturbance to giant kelp. The number of giant kelp > 1 m tall were recorded within four contiguous 20 m x 1m permanent plots located within a 40 m x 2 m area. The number of fronds > 1 m tall were counted for each individual and used as an estimate of its size. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel and included an annual kelp removal treatment designed to simulate increases in the frequency and severity of winter wave disturbance and a continual kelp removal treatment that allowed the effects of giant kelp on the community to be evaluated. The last experimental removals of giant kelp occurred in winter 2016 or winter 2017, depending on the site. Data collection continued in all plots until spring 2023 to document the recovery trajectory of the reef fish community following the cessation of experimental kelp removal.
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SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Abundance and size of Giant Kelp
These data describe the abundance and size of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) within permanent plots of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. The number of giant kelp > 1 m tall were recorded within four contiguous 20 m x 1m permanent plots located within a 40 m x 2 m area. The number of fronds > 1 m tall were counted for each individual and used as an estimate of its size. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel.
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- PAR ID:
- 10660934
- Publisher / Repository:
- Environmental Data Initiative
- Date Published:
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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