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.