SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: Kelp removal: Abundance and size of Giant Kelp

These data describe the abundance and size of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) within permanent plots of a long-term experiment designed to examine trajectories of change in the structure and productivity of kelp forest communities in response to changes in the frequency and severity of disturbance to giant kelp. The number of giant kelp > 1 m tall are recorded within four contiguous 20 m x 1m permanent plots located within a 40 m x 2 m area. The number of fronds > 1 m tall are counted for each individual and used as an estimate of its size. The kelp disturbance experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel and included an annual kelp removal treatment designed to simulate increases in the frequency and severity of winter wave disturbance and a continual kelp removal treatment that allowed the effects of giant kelp on the community to be evaluated.