PISCO: Intertidal: Biodiversity Surveys: OSU: Spatially-nested Biodiversity Surveys

This metadata record documents the patterns of diversity and abundance of macro algae and invertebrates on rocky shores by using a nested sampling scheme. At the largest scale are stretches of rocky habitat that are spaced across the United States West Coast to represent major areas that are relatively similar in physical factors. Nested within each of these major areas are three sites, and nested within each of these sites are three sets of sampled areas. In each sampled area a 50 meter transect tape is placed at Mean Lower Low Water, Mean Sea Level, and Mean Higher High Water (and sometimes also the super high water mark). The abundance of all macro algae and invertebrates in 10 50 x 50 cm quadrates along each transect were measured. A suite of physical data including aspect and slope of the shore, degree of sandiness, and water temperature were collected. Eye bolts and a wire meshed caged temperature data loggers were installed at each site.