SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: Kelp removal: Invertebrate and algal density

These data describe the abundance of common reef associated
species of macro invertebrates and macroalgae within permanent
plots of a long-term experiment designed to examine trajectories
of change in the structure and productivity of kelp forest
communities in response to changes in the frequency and severity
of disturbance to giant kelp. The number of individuals of
approximately 50 taxa were recorded by divers along 40 m transects
within each plot. Small species of macroalgae and macinvertebrates
were counted within six permanent 1 m 2 quadrats positioned uniformly along the 40 m transect, while
larger species were counted within four contiguous 20
m 2 sub-sections of each 40 m x 2 m
transect. Also included at the quadrat scale are estimates of an
average size-related measurement of each species, which was
developed specifically for each species for the purpose of
estimating its biomass. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at
five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara
Channel and included an annual kelp removal treatment designed to
simulate increases in the frequency and severity of winter wave
disturbance and a continual kelp removal treatment that allowed
the effects of giant kelp on the community to be evaluated. The
last experimental removals of giant kelp occurred in winter 2016
or winter 2017, depending on the site. Data collection continued
in all plots until spring 2023 to document the recovery trajectory
of the reef fish community following the cessation of experimental
kelp removal.