SBC LTER: REEF: Macrocystis pyrifera blade area and loss in Southern California

These data describe losses of giant kelp ( Macrocystis pyrifera ) blade tissue observed in the Santa Barbara Channel (Isla Vista Reef) during the summer of 2012. Data are contained in two tables: 1) a time series of measured change in blade area over time at different depths and locations in the kelp forest, 2) modeled estimates of partial blade losses specific to blades on subsurface fronds and blades in the water column and canopy sections of surface reaching fronds.