SBC LTER: Settlement of urchins and other invertebrates, ongoing since 1990

The dataset comprises weekly to biweekly data on invertebrate settlement on artificial substrates at six sites in Southern California, and one site in Northern California. The study began in early 1990 and is ongoing. The study’s main focus is on urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Mesocentrotus franciscanus), but was expanded to include selected bivalves, gastropods and crabs during the period 1994-1997. The purpose of the study is to compare and contrast patterns of settlement supply across a large geographical gradient to explore the possible influence of oceanographic features on these patterns. Both of these goals are facilitated by the long duration of the dataset, its large geographical range and the high temporal frequency of collection. See Methods for more information.