SBC LTER: Santa Cruz Island: Abundance of Pycnopodia helianthoides

The purpose of the Pycnopodia sampling is to determine the relative abundance of the species Pycnopodia helianthoides at each of 11 sites along the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. P. helianthoides can be an important predator in rocky reef systems and has been thought to contribute to community phase shifts on Santa Cruz Island. Divers conducting fish count in 2003 observed a rapid increase in P. helianthoides individuals and began counting this species during routine surveys.