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Abstract Cross-ecosystem subsidies influence the structure and dynamics of recipient ecosystems and can be sensitive to disturbance. Primary production exported from marine to shoreline ecosystems is among the largest known cross-ecosystem subsidies. However, the spatial scales at which this important connection is manifested are largely unquantified. We used local and regional observations of nearshore kelp canopy biomass and beach kelp wrack inputs to evaluate the scales at which connectivity between kelp forests and beaches is maximized. Regardless of the spatial and temporal scales considered, connectivity was highly local (<10 km) and strongest in winter. Kelp canopy biomass was the primary driver of wrack subsidies, but recipient ecosystem attributes, particularly beach width and orientation, were also important. These drivers of connectivity highlight that disturbance to either ecosystem will have large implications for beach ecosystem productivity. Spatial connectivity can regulate recovery from disturbances such that ecosystem connections must be considered in conservation efforts. 

This dataset contains trait and elemental composition data for macroalgal samples collected across depth gradients at multiple sites in the Santa Barbara Channel, California. Each sample represents an individual specimen characterized by morphological measurements (e.g., blade thickness, stipe diameter, total height), biomass of anatomical parts (blade, stipe, holdfast, reproductive tissue), and anchoring strength. In addition, biochemical traits—including carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and hydrogen (H) content—were measured from tissue samples analyzed in the analytical laboratory. These data support a trait-based modeling approach to macroalgal community structure and distribution, contributing to our understanding of functional diversity and ecosystem dynamics in temperate marine systems. Accompanying metadata include collection site, date, time, depth, location coordinates, and substrate type, providing context for environmental variation across samples. 

These data describe the size frequency distribution of red (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) and purple (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) sea urchins within permanent plots of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. The diameter of the test (shell without spines) was recorded to the nearest 0.5 cm for 50 red and 50 purple sea urchins located within a 40 m x 2 m area of each plot. Size frequency data of red and purple sea urchins are not collected in the continual kelp removal plots. When combined with size-mass relationships established in the laboratory these data were used to provide a non-destructive, in situ estimate of the dry mass per unit area of bottom for each species. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel. 

These data represent values of biomass density for more than 200 species of macroalgae, invertebrates and fish measured in fixed plots at five reefs as part of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. Taxon-specific relationships between size and mass were applied to field measurements of species abundance to estimate biomass density of each species. The five reefs (Arroyo Quemada 34°28.048’N, 120°07.031’W; Carpinteria 34°23.474’N, 119°32.510’W; Isla Vista 34°23.275’N, 119°32.792’W; Mohawk 34°23.649’N, 119°43.762’W; and Naples 34° 25.342’N, 119° 57.102’W) ranged in depth from 5.8 m to 8.9 m (MLLW) and were chosen to represent a range of physical and biological characteristics known to influence subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the region. 

These data describe the percent cover of eight bottom substrate types within permanent plots of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. The type of bottom substrate was recorded at 80 uniformly spaced points along permanent 40m x 2m transects. Percent cover of each substrate type on transect was estimated as the proportion of the 80 points contacted by the substrate type x 100. In cases where the substrate type was sand, the depth of the sand was measured. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel. The two tables in this data package include: 1) The percent cover of eight bottom substrate types; and 2) the sand depth of each sampling point (sand depth = 0 if substrate type is not sand) 

This dataset provides estimates of seasonal net primary production (NPP) for all taxa of macroalgae sampled in fixed plots of the SBC LTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring sites. The five reefs (Arroyo Quemada 34°28.048’N, 120°07.031’W; Carpinteria 34°23.474’N, 119°32.510’W; Isla Vista 34°23.275’N, 119°32.792’W; Mohawk 34°23.649’N, 119°43.762’W; and Naples 34° 25.342’N, 119° 57.102’W) ranged in depth from 5.8 m to 8.9 m (MLLW) and were chosen to represent a range of physical and biological characteristics known to influence subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the region. NPP of understory taxa was calculated using field measurements of irradiance and biomass (derived from abundance) and laboratory estimates of taxon-specific photosynthetic parameters. NPP for the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, was calculated using linear relationships between frond density in a given season and average NPP for that season. 

These data represent mean hourly values of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (in units of mol m-2 s-1) at five subtidal reefs and one coastal location off Santa Barbara, California. Sensors record instantaneous irradiance at one-minute or 30 second intervals, and data are averaged hourly. Sensors are mounted on the sea floor at five sites (Arroyo Quemado, Carpinteria, Naples Reef, Isla Vista, and Mohawk Reef). A surface sensor is deployed on an unobstructed coastal rooftop at the UC Santa Barbara campus; some historical observations are available from sensors mounted above the sea surface at a subset of the five sites. 

These data describe the abundance of macroalgal detritus (grams wet mass m-2) as part of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. Detritus was collected in six permanent 1 m2 quadrats positioned uniformly along 40 m transects in each sampling plot. Sample collections were brought back to the laboratory, identified to species and weighed wet. The seasonal surveys were initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel, California, US. 

These data describe the abundance and size of reef-associated fish within permanent plots of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. The number, size and species identity of reef fish were recorded within a 2 m wide swath centered along a 40 m long transect extending up to 2 m off the bottom. Fish size was measured as total length estimated to the nearest cm. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel.