Data to support "Marks et al 2016. Assessment of control methods for the invasive seaweed Sargassum horneri in California, USA"

Determining the feasibility of controlling marine invasive algae through removal is critical to developing a strategy to manage their spread and impact. To inform control strategies, we investigated the efficacy and efficiency of removing an invasive seaweed, Sargassum horneri, from rocky reefs on Santa Catalina Island, southern California, USA. We tested the efficacy of removal as a means of reducing colonization and survivorship by clearing S. horneri from 60 m2 circular plots. We also examined whether S. horneri is able to regenerate from remnant holdfasts with severed stipes to determine whether efforts to control S. horneri require the complete removal of entire individuals. In addition, we developed efficiency metrics for manual removal with and without the aid of an underwater suction device. These data have been presented in: Marks, L.M., D.C. Reed and A.K. Obaza. 2016. Assessment of control methods for the invasive seaweed Sargassum horneri in California, USA. Management of Biological Invasions, DOI: 10.3391/mbi.2017.8.2.08, https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2017.8.2.08