Find research datasets worth reusing

Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Nearshore kelp forest integrated benthic cover, 1980-ongoing

The Santa Barbara Channel Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (SBCMBON) tracks long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. This dataset contains cover of kelp forest sessile invertebrates, understory macroalgae, and substrate types by integrating data from four contributing projects working in the kelp forests of the Santa Barbara Channel, USA. Divers collect data on using either uniform point contact (UPC) or random point contact (RPC) methods. The four contributing projects are two research projects: The Santa Barbara Coastal LTER (SBC LTER) and the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), the kelp forest monitoring program of the Santa Barbara Channel National Park, and the San Nicolas Island monitoring program supported by USGS. Together, these projects have recorded data for more than 200 species at approximately 100 sites on both the mainland coast and on the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Sampling began in 1982 and is ongoing. Data were collected by human observation (divers using SCUBA) during regular surveys. Percent cover is recorded for taxa where individuals cannot be counted. Cover can be calculated from the data here as the fraction of total points at which the taxon was present x 100. With UPC and RPC methods, multiple species can be recorded at any given point. The total percent cover of all species combined using this method can exceed 100%; however, the percent cover of any single species cannot exceed 100%. See Methods for information on integration and data processing. MBON is funded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For users who are interested in using all or part of this integrated datasets, please contact data owners to discuss your research interests, data-related issues or any other questions. A recommended citation for the data package is available from the download page. In

Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Nearshore kelp forest integrated fish, 1981-ongoing

The Santa Barbara Channel Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (SBCMBON) tracks long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. This dataset contains counts of fish (including cryptic fish, which are deliberately sought out) produced by integrating data from four contributing projects working in the kelp forests of the Santa Barbara Channel, USA. The four contributing projects are two research projects, the Santa Barbara Coastal LTER (SBC LTER) and the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), and the kelp forest monitoring program of the Santa Barbara Channel National Park, and the San Nicolas Island monitoring program supported by USGS. Together, these projects have recorded data for more than 200 species at approximately 100 sites on both the mainland coast and on the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Sampling began in 1980 and is ongoing. Data were collected by human observation (divers using SCUBA) during regular surveys. This dataset includes five entities, three data tables and two R scripts. The main data table contains counts of organisms, the bottom-area and height of the water column over which the fish were surveyed. The column labeled “count” records the number of organisms found in each plot/transect at a given timestamp. A second data table contains place names and geolocation for sampling sites. Information is sufficient for the calculation of fish density, which is left to the user. The third data table contains the depths of each transect the for the fish survey. Sample R script is included to illustrate generation of a basic table of areal density by taxa and sampling site. A second R script is included to convert these data from their primary MBON structure to a Darwin Core Archive (and available through multiple sources). MBON is funded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For users who are i

Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Nearshore kelp forest integrated quad and swath survey, 1980-ongoing

The Santa Barbara Channel Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (SBCMBON) tracks long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. This dataset contains counts of algae and invertebrates (both sessile and mobile) by integrating data from four contributing projects working in the kelp forests of the Santa Barbara Channel, USA. The four contributing projects are two research projects: The Santa Barbara Coastal LTER (SBC LTER) and the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), the kelp forest monitoring program of the Santa Barbara Channel National Park, and the San Nicolas Island monitoring program supported by USGS. Together, these projects have recorded data for more than 200 species at approximately 100 sites on both the mainland coast and on the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Sampling began in 1982 and is ongoing. Data were collected by human observation (divers using SCUBA) during regular surveys. The data table documents the number of organisms and the area over which that number was counted for calculation of areal abundance. Data were collected by human observation (divers using SCUBA) during regular surveys. The algae and invertebrate counts record the number of taxa found in each plot, including quad (small square plots such as 1 or 2 m2) and swath (large linear plots such as 60 m2). See Method and protocol for information on integration and data processing. MBON is funded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For users who are interested in using all or part of this integrated datasets, please contact data owners to discuss your research interests, data-related issues or any other questions. A recommended citation for the data package is available from the download page. In addition, any manuscript generated using this dataset is expected to be sent to the data owners before publication so we can be sure t

Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Nearshore kelp forest integrated taxa, 1980-ongoing

The Santa Barbara Channel Marine Biodiversity Network (SBC MBON) tracks long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. By integrating research and monitoring efforts (both existing and de novo data), we provide a comprehensive view of biodiversity in the region. This dataset is a combined species list from four datasets currently handled and integrated by SBC MBON, with identifiers from an appropriate taxonomic registry included for each taxon. Because this species list reflects the integration of multiple collections, it will be updated as SBC MBON integration efforts develop. Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Integrated kelp forest/reef: Fish https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=edi&identifier=5&revision=newest Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Integrated kelp forest/reef: Quad and swath cover https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=edi&identifier=6&revision=newest Santa Barbara Channel Marine BON: Integrated kelp forest/reef: Benthic cover https://portal.edirepository.org/nis/mapbrowse?scope=edi&identifier=3&revision=newest As of 2018, this dataset contains approximately 400 taxa from combined observations beginning in 1980. Data include codes for the originating project and sampling method, plus basic taxonomic lineage. MBON is funded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For users who are interested in using all or part of this integrated datasets, please contact data owners to discuss your research interests, data-related issues or any other questions. A recommended citation for the data package is available from the download page. In addition, any manuscript generated using this dataset is expected to be sent to the data owners before publication so we can be sure the data is used in the proper context and methods are reported accurately: Santa Barbara Coastal LTER (LTER): Dan Ree

openCC (other)Jan 2026View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: biomass of kelp forest species

These data represent values of biomass density for more than 200 species of macroalgae, invertebrates and fish measured in fixed plots at five reefs as part of a long-term experiment designed to evaluate the effects of disturbance to giant kelp on the structure and productivity of the benthic community. Taxon-specific relationships between size and mass were applied to field measurements of species abundance to estimate biomass density of each species. The five reefs (Arroyo Quemada 34°28.048’N, 120°07.031’W; Carpinteria 34°23.474’N, 119°32.510’W; Isla Vista 34°23.275’N, 119°32.792’W; Mohawk 34°23.649’N, 119°43.762’W; and Naples 34° 25.342’N, 119° 57.102’W) ranged in depth from 5.8 m to 8.9 m (MLLW) and were chosen to represent a range of physical and biological characteristics known to influence subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the region. A common (but not always persistent) feature on these reefs was the presence of the giant kelp, which forms a dense canopy at the sea surface that suppresses recruitment and growth of understory algae below it. See Methods for more information.

SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: biomass of kelp forest species, ongoing since 2008

These data represent values of biomass density for more than 200 species of macroalgae, invertebrates and fish measured in fixed plots at five reefs as part of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. Taxon-specific relationships between size and mass were applied to field measurements of species abundance to estimate biomass density of each species. The five reefs (Arroyo Quemada 34°28.048’N, 120°07.031’W; Carpinteria 34°23.474’N, 119°32.510’W; Isla Vista 34°23.275’N, 119°32.792’W; Mohawk 34°23.649’N, 119°43.762’W; and Naples 34° 25.342’N, 119° 57.102’W) ranged in depth from 5.8 m to 8.9 m (MLLW) and were chosen to represent a range of physical and biological characteristics known to influence subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the region.

SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Taxon-specific seasonal net primary production (NPP) for macroalgae

This dataset provides estimates of seasonal net primary production (NPP) for all taxa of macroalgae sampled in fixed plots of the SBC LTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring sites. The five reefs (Arroyo Quemada 34°28.048’N, 120°07.031’W; Carpinteria 34°23.474’N, 119°32.510’W; Isla Vista 34°23.275’N, 119°32.792’W; Mohawk 34°23.649’N, 119°43.762’W; and Naples 34° 25.342’N, 119° 57.102’W) ranged in depth from 5.8 m to 8.9 m (MLLW) and were chosen to represent a range of physical and biological characteristics known to influence subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the region. NPP of understory taxa was calculated using field measurements of irradiance and biomass (derived from abundance) and laboratory estimates of taxon-specific photosynthetic parameters. NPP for the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, was calculated using linear relationships between frond density in a given season and average NPP for that season.

SBC LTER: Reef: Annual time series of biomass for kelp forest species, ongoing since 2000

These data are annual estimates of biomass of approximately 225 taxa of reef algae, invertebrates and fish in permanent transects at 11 kelp forest sites in the Santa Barbara Channel (2-8 transects per site). Abundance is measured annually (as percent cover or density, by size) and converted to biomass (i.e., wet mass, dry mass, decalcified dry mass, ash free dry mass) using published taxon-specific algorithms. Data collection began in summer 2000 and continues annually in summer to provide information on community structure, population dynamics and species change. The time period of data collection varied among the 11 kelp forest sites. Sampling at BULL, CARP, and NAPL began in 2000, sampling at the other 6 mainland sites (AHND, AQUE, IVEE, GOLB, ABUR, MOHK) began in 2001 (transects 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 at IVEE were added in 2011). Data collection at the two Santa Cruz Island sites (SCTW and SCDI) began in 2004. See Methods for more information.

openCC (other)Jan 2026View details →

SBC LTER: Time series of quarterly NetCDF files of kelp biomass in the canopy from Landsat 5, 7 and 8, since 1984 (ongoing)

This data file represents a time series of canopy area of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, and canopy biomass of giant kelp derived from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager 2 satellite imagery, along with relevant metadata. The kelp canopy is composed of the portions of fronds and stipes floating on the surface of the water. Canopy area (m) data are given for individual 30 x 30 meter pixels for all coastal areas of Baja California, Mexico, California, Oregon, and the outer coast of Washington (including offshore islands). Biomass data (wet weight, kg) are given for individual 30 x 30 meter pixels in the coastal areas extending from near Ano Nuevo, CA through the southern range limit in Baja California (including offshore islands), representing the range where giant kelp is the dominant canopy forming species. Data were derived from the three Landsat sensors listed above. Observations are made on a 16 day repeat cycle, for each instrument, but the temporal coverage is irregular because of cloud cover, instrument failure, and the mission length of each sensor (TM: 1984 – 2011, ETM+: 1999 – present, OLI: 2013 – present). Estimates of canopy area are derived from the fractional cover of kelp canopy determined from satellite surface reflectance. Estimates of kelp canopy biomass are derived from the relationship between giant kelp fractional cover determined from satellite surface reflectance and empirical measurements of giant kelp canopy biomass in long-term SBC LTER study plots obtained using SCUBA. The different Landsat sensors were calibrated to each other using simulated Landsat data derived from hyperspectral imagery. Missing data due to the ETM+ scan line corrector error were filled using a synchrony-based gap filling method. Data are organized into a single NetCDF file and contain the quarterly area and

openCC (other)Jul 2021View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Fish abundance (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-sbc/17/35. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: These data describe the abundance and size of fish species as part of SBCLTER's kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. This study began in 2000 in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, USA. The abundance and size of all taxa of resident kelp forest fish encountered along permanent transects are recorded at nine reef sites located along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel and at two sites on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. These sites reflect several oceanographic regimes in the channel and vary in distance from sources of terrestrial runoff. In these surveys, fish were counted in either a 40x2m benthic quadrat, or in the water parcel 0-2m off the bottom over the same area. The two tables in this data package include: 1) The annual benthic fish community survey which was conducted on 11 reefs once a year around late July or early August; and 2) The monthly fish survey which was conducted once a month at a subset of the sites (3 of the annual sites) The time period of data collection for the annual benthic fish community survey varied among the 11 kelp forest sites. Sampling at BULL, CARP, and NAPL began in 2000, sampling at the other 6 mainland sites (AHND, AQUE, IVEE, GOLB, ABUR, MOHK) began in 2001 (transects 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 at IVEE were added in 2011). Data collection at the two Santa Cruz Island sites (SCTW and SCDI) began in 2004. The monthly fish survey at ABUR (Transect 1, 2, and 3), AQUE (Transect1), and MOHK (Transect 1) in 2002. The Transect 2 and 3 at ABUR were discontinued in June 2006. See Method

openCC (other)Oct 2021View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: biomass of kelp forest species, ongoing since 2008 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-sbc/119/7. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: These data represent values of biomass density for more than 200 species of macroalgae, invertebrates and fish measured in fixed plots at five reefs as part of a long-term experiment designed to evaluate the effects of disturbance to giant kelp on the structure and productivity of the benthic community. Taxon-specific relationships between size and mass were applied to field measurements of species abundance to estimate biomass density of each species. The five reefs (Arroyo Quemado 34°28.048’N, 120°07.031’W; Carpinteria 34°23.474’N, 119°32.510’W; Isla Vista 34°23.275’N, 119°32.792’W; Mohawk 34°23.649’N, 119°43.762’W; and Naples 34° 25.342’N, 119° 57.102’W) ranged in depth from 5.8 m to 8.9 m (MLLW) and were chosen to represent a range of physical and biological characteristics known to influence subtidal macroalgal assemblages in the region. A common (but not always persistent) feature on these reefs was the presence of the giant kelp, which forms a dense canopy at the sea surface that suppresses recruitment and growth of understory algae below it. See Methods for more information. The primary research objective of the Santa Barbara Coastal LTER is to investigate the importance of land and ocean processes in structuring giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera ) forest ecosystems. As in many temperate regions, the shallow rocky reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, are dominated by giant kelp forests. Because of their close proximity to shore, kelp forests are influenced by physical and biological processes occurring on land as well as in the open ocean. SBC LTER research foc

openCC (other)Oct 2021View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Annual time series of biomass for kelp forest species, ongoing since 2000 (Reformatted to the ecocomDP Design Pattern)

This data package is formatted as an ecocomDP (Ecological Community Data Pattern). For more information on ecocomDP see https://github.com/EDIorg/ecocomDP. This Level 1 data package was derived from the Level 0 data package found here: https://pasta.lternet.edu/package/metadata/eml/knb-lter-sbc/50/10. The abstract below was extracted from the Level 0 data package and is included for context: These data are annual estimates of biomass of approximately 225 taxa of reef algae, invertebrates and fish in permanent transects at 11 kelp forest sites in the Santa Barbara Channel (2-8 transects per site). Abundance is measured annually (as percent cover or density, by size) and converted to biomass (i.e., wet mass, dry mass, decalcified dry mass, ash free dry mass) using published taxon-specific algorithms. Data collection began in summer 2000 and continues annually in summer to provide information on community structure, population dynamics and species change. The time period of data collection varied among the 11 kelp forest sites. Sampling at BULL, CARP, and NAPL began in 2000, sampling at the other 6 mainland sites (AHND, AQUE, IVEE, GOLB, ABUR, MOHK) began in 2001 (transects 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 at IVEE were added in 2011). Data collection at the two Santa Cruz Island sites (SCTW and SCDI) began in 2004. See Methods for more information. See Methods for more information. The primary research objective of the Santa Barbara Coastal LTER is to investigate the importance of land and ocean processes in structuring giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera ) forest ecosystems. As in many temperate regions, the shallow rocky reefs in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, are dominated by giant kelp forests. Because of their close proximity to shore, kelp forests are influenced by physical and biological processes occurring on land as well as in the open ocean. SBC LTER research focuses on measuring and modeling the patterns, transport, and processing of material constituents (e.g., nutrients

SBC LTER: Reef: Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Cover of bottom substrate and sand depth

These data describe the percent cover of eight bottom substrate types as determined by a uniform point contact method. The type of bottom substrate is recorded at 80 uniformly spaced points along permanent 40m x 2m transects. Percent cover of each substrate type on a transect is estimated as the proportion of the 80 points contacted by that substrate type x 100. In cases where the substrate type is sand, the depth of the sand is measured. These data are part of the SBC LTER’s time series observations of kelp forest dynamics, which began in 2000 and was designed to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity of reef-associated organisms in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, USA. The sampling locations in this dataset include nine reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel and two on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. These 11 sites were chosen to reflect the wide range of oceanographic conditions present in the Channel and proximity to sources of terrestrial runoff. Data are collected at each site once per year in summer and this dataset is updated annually. The time period of data collection varied among the 11 reef sites. Sampling at BULL, CARP, and NAPL began in 2000, sampling at the other 6 mainland sites (AHND, AQUE, IVEE, GOLB, ABUR, MOHK) began in 2001 (transects 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 at IVEE were added in 2011). Data collection at the two Santa Cruz Island sites (SCTW and SCDI) began in 2004. The two tables in this data package include: 1) The percent cover of eight bottom substrate types; and 2) the sand depth of each sampling point (sand depth = 0 if substrate type ≠sand).

openCC (other)Sep 2023View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Long-term experiment: Kelp removal: Cover of bottom substrate and sand depth

These data describe the percent cover of eight bottom substrate types 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 type of bottom substrate was recorded at 80 uniformly spaced points along permanent 40m x 2m transects. Percent cover of each substrate type on transect was estimated as the proportion of the 80 points contacted by the substrate type x 100. In cases where the substrate type was sand the depth of the sand was measured. The 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. The last experimental removals of giant kelp occurred in winter 2016 or winter 2017, depending on the site. Data collection continued in all plots until spring 2023 to document the recovery trajectory of the reef fish community following the cessation of experimental kelp removal. The two tables in this data package include: 1) The percent cover of eight bottom substrate types; and 2) the sand depth of each sampling point (sand depth = 0 if substrate type is not sand)

openCC (other)Oct 2022View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Historical Kelp Database for giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) biomass in California and Mexico

ISP Alginates (formerly Kelco Co.) has collected information on the abundance of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in California and Mexico from routine aerial surveys since 1957. The standard protocol consists of an observer visually estimating the amount of harvestable giant kelp biomass within designated kelp beds from a small fixed-wing aircraft. Observations were recorded on paper data sheets in the field and archived in notebooks housed at ISP Alginates. With cooperation from ISP Alginates, the SBCLTER converted ISP Alginates long-term records of giant kelp biomass into a digital format. The database consists of a data table containing kelp biomass, a catalog of maps. The format ISP Alginates used to report kelp abundance data changed periodically over the course of the collecting period. These details, pus descriptions of designated kelp beds are described in the protocol document.

openCC (other)Apr 2024View details →

SBC LTER: Reef: Benthic community structure along a gradient of historic kelp variability

These data are estimates of biomass of approximately 225 taxa of reef algae, invertebrates, and fish in transects at 11 non-core sites in the Santa Barbara Channel in summer 2018 (3 transects per site). Sites were selected along a gradient of historic kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) variability, from sites with highly persistent kelp to sites exhibiting extensive variation in kelp biomass since 2008. See the site characteristics data table for site locations and depths. The purpose of the sampling was to explore to what extent the findings from the long-term experiment (e.g. Castorani et al. 2018) apply to natural gradients in kelp persistence. Surveys were conducted following the same methodology used in the annual surveys of kelp forest community structure, such that data from the non-core sites may be paired with annual survey data collected in summer 2018.

SBC LTER: Reef: Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Cover of sessile organisms, Uniform Point Contact

These data describe the cover of sessile invertebrates, understory macroalgae, and bottom substrate types as determined by a uniform point contact method. The presence of over 150 taxa of sessile invertebrates and macroalgae are recorded at 80 uniformly spaced points along permanent 40m x 2m transects. Multiple species can be recorded at any given point. Percent cover of a given species on a transect can be estimated from UPC observations as the fraction of total points at which that species was present x 100. The total percent cover of all species combined using this method can exceed 100%; however, the percent cover of any single species cannot exceed 100%. These data are part of SBC LTERs kelp forest monitoring program, which began in 2000 and was designed to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity of reef-associated organisms in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, USA. The sampling locations in this dataset include nine reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel and at two sites on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. These sites reflect several oceanographic regimes in the channel and vary in distance from sources of terrestrial runoff. Data collection began in 2000 and this dataset is updated annually. The time period of data collection varied among the 11 kelp forest sites. Sampling at BULL, CARP, and NAPL began in 2000, sampling at the other 6 mainland sites (AHND, AQUE, IVEE, GOLB, ABUR, MOHK) began in 2001 (transects 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 at IVEE were added in 2011). Data collection at the two Santa Cruz Island sites (SCTW and SCDI) began in 2004. See Methods for more information. The two tables in this data package include: 1) The percent cover of sessile invertebrate and understory macroalage; and 2) the percent cover of bottom substrate.

SBC LTER: Reef: Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Fish abundance

These data describe the abundance and size of fish species as part of SBCLTER's kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. This study began in 2000 in the Santa Barbara Channel, California, USA. The abundance and size of all taxa of resident kelp forest fish encountered along permanent transects are recorded at nine reef sites located along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel and at two sites on the north side of Santa Cruz Island. These sites reflect several oceanographic regimes in the channel and vary in distance from sources of terrestrial runoff. In these surveys, fish were counted in either a 40x2m benthic quadrat, or in the water parcel 0-2m off the bottom over the same area. The table in this data package documented the annual benthic fish community survey which was conducted once a year around late July or early August. The time period of data collection for the annual benthic fish community survey varied among the 11 kelp forest sites. Sampling at BULL, CARP, and NAPL began in 2000, sampling at the other 6 mainland sites (AHND, AQUE, IVEE, GOLB, ABUR, MOHK) began in 2001 (transects 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 at IVEE were added in 2011). Data collection at the two Santa Cruz Island sites (SCTW and SCDI) began in 2004. The monthly fish survey at ABUR (Transect 1, 2, and 3), AQUE (Transect1), and MOHK (Transect 1) in 2002. The Transect 2 and 3 at ABUR were discontinued in June 2006. See Methods for more information.

SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Detritus biomass

These data describe the abundance of macroalgal detritus (grams wet mass m-2) as part of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. Detritus was collected in six permanent 1 m2 quadrats positioned uniformly along 40 m transects in each sampling plot. Sample collections were brought back to the laboratory, identified to species and weighed wet. The seasonal surveys were initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel, California, US.

SBC LTER: Reef: Seasonal Kelp Forest Community Dynamics: Urchin size frequency distribution

These data describe the size frequency distribution of red (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) and purple (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) sea urchins within permanent plots of SBCLTER's seasonal kelp forest monitoring program to track long-term patterns in species abundance and diversity. The diameter of the test (shell without spines) was recorded to the nearest 0.5 cm for 50 red and 50 purple sea urchins located within a 40 m x 2 m area of each plot. Size frequency data of red and purple sea urchins are not collected in the continual kelp removal plots. When combined with size-mass relationships established in the laboratory these data were used to provide a non-destructive, in situ estimate of the dry mass per unit area of bottom for each species. The experiment was initiated in 2008 at five reef sites along the mainland coast of the Santa Barbara Channel.