SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: Kelp removal: Abundance and size of Giant Kelp

These data describe the abundance of giant kelp located at SBC LTER
long-term kelp removal experiment sites. The number of fronds on each
plant > 1 m tall within 40 m x 2 m transects in each plot is
recorded in selected 20 m 2 sub-sections of
each transect. In continuous removal plots plants are removed after
being sampled. 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.