SBC LTER: Beach: Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning - sandy beach detritivore kelp consumption rates

These data describe the consumption rates of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) wrack by sandy beach detritivore species common to beaches in the Santa Barbara Channel during a laboratory experiment in August 2016. Species included Megalorchestia minor, Megalorchestia benedicti, Megalorchestia corniculata, Megalorchestia californiana, Phaleria rotundata, and Alloniscus perconvexus. The data file includes the mass of dry kelp consumed per day per individual, the mass of dry kelp consumed per day, and the total mass of dry kelp consumed over the 3-day experiment. There were 12 individuals per treatment and the kelp tissue was measured at the beginning and the end of the 3-night experiment. Consumption rates given here have been corrected for non-consumptive mass loss determined by control treatments with no consumers (4.0 ± 1.5% dry mass or 6.0 ± 2.5 mg).