SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Taxon-specific seasonal net primary production (NPP) for macroalgae

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.