SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Abundance and size of Giant Kelp

These data describe the abundance and size of giant kelp
( Macrocystis pyrifera ) within permanent plots
of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track
long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. The number
of giant kelp > 1 m tall were recorded within four contiguous
20 m x 1m permanent plots located within a 40 m x 2 m area. The
number of fronds > 1 m tall were counted for each individual
and used as an estimate of its size. The experiment was initiated
in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa
Barbara Channel.