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.