SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: Kelp removal: Fish abundance

These data describe the abundance and size of reef-associated fish at SBC LTER long-term kelp removal experiment sites. The number and size of reef fish located 0-2 meters from the bottom within a 40 m x 2 m transect are recorded by a diver in each plot at the start of the sampling day. The number and sizes of cryptic fish associated with the bottom are recorded in the same 40m x 2 m transects in a separate survey. Cryptic species are recorded in selected 20 meter sub-sections of an 80 m2 permanent transect. Cryptic species are not recorded on continuous removal transects. The kelp removal experiment was initiated in 2008 at selected reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel. The following three giant kelp manipulations are maintained in sampling plots at each site: - Control: Macrocystis pyriferais left intact in a 2000 m2 plot. - Annual removal: Macrocystis pyriferais removed from an adjacent 2000 m2 plot once each winter and allowed to re-colonize over the course of the year. - Continuous removal: Macrocystis pyriferais removed from a 200 m2 area within the 2000 m2 plot on each sampling date. See Methods for more information.