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 m 2 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 pyrifera is left intact in
a 2000 m 2 plot. - Annual removal: Macrocystis pyrifera is removed
from an adjacent 2000 m 2 plot once each
winter and allowed to re-colonize over the course of the year. - Continuous removal: Macrocystis pyrifera is
removed from a 200 m 2 area within the 2000
m 2 plot on each sampling date.