SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: Kelp removal: Invertebrate and algal density

These data describe the abundance of common mobile macro invertebrates and macroalgae located at SBC LTER long-term kelp removal experiment sites. The number of individuals of approximately 50 taxa are recorded in 40 m x 2 m transects in each plot. Large algae and large mobile invertebrates are enumerated within selected 20 m 2 sub-sections on each 40 m x 2 m transect and small algae and small invertebrates are enumerated in six permanent 1 m 2 quadrats positioned uniformly along the 40 m x 2 m transect. 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.