Sampling consists of visual surveys of the density (number per 60m2) of all non-cryptic sessile and mobile solitary invertebrates and macroalgae by SCUBA divers. In addition, sizes of select species (sea urchins, abalone, giant kelp) are recorded. Surveys are conducted at sites distributed throughout the study region (Carmel Bay and southern Monterey Bay). Each sample site is divided into three \"zones\" (by depth - 20m, 12.5m, 5m - or from offshore to inshore at sites with little depth variation) to assure that samples are distributed across the face of a reef from inshore to offshore. Where possible, taxa (or taxonomic categories) are enumerated on six transects stratified across the three depth strata (two per stratum) per site (typically a 100m length of coastline, extending from onshore to the 20m isobath). Each \"transect\" is a 2m x 30m swath haphazardly located within one of the three depth strata.\u00a0 Transects within a stratum are separated end-to-end by approximately 5m. Sampling of each transect is conducted by three divers simultaneously. One diver records the number of individual invertebrates and macroalgae within each of three 10m-long segments of the 60m2\u00a0swath. A second diver records the organism and substratum type beneath each of 30 points uniformly distributed along the 30m length of the transect (i.e. 1.0m increments) and the vertical relief (highest to lowest height of the reef surface) within a 0.5m long by 1m wide area centered on each uniform point.\u00a0 A third diver records the number and size of sea urchins and abalone within each of the 10m long segments of the 60m2\u00a0swath. High densities of any species are enumerated by recording the distance along the transect at which 30 individuals are recorded within each 10m segment of the 30m-long transect. Surveys are designed to measure year-to-year site-wide variability in species density or percent cover, from which community structure and interannual dynamics are derived.\u00a0
This metadata record documents the kelp forest community survey component of the investigators' project. Data generated by these surveys consists of the following recorded on \"transects\" (described in Methodology section below): \u00a0(i) the number and size of individuals greater than 2.5 cm diameter of all sea star species as well as notation of evidence of disease, (ii) the number and size of individuals greater than 2.5 cm diameter of both sea urchin species (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and Mesocentrotus franciscanus) as well as notation of evidence of disease, (iii) density (individuals per 60m2) of all conspicuous invertebrates and macroalgae.
Data recorded on underwater paper by divers are entered into Excel spreadsheets by hand and double checked for accuracy.\u00a0 Each dataset is checked for valid entries and completeness.
\nBCO-DMO Data Processing Notes:
\n-Month and day combined with year to create date column.
\n-All column names reformatted to comply with BCO-DMO standards
\n-nd was entered into all blank cells
\n-Commas were removed from the descriptions in notes column
\n-lat/lon columns created based on information found in the site keys submitted with the data