Dataset: Marine Community Composition of the Pacific Coast from June of 2022 to July of 2023

Marine Community

We sampled marine communities using point sampling in half-meter length (0.25m^2) quadrats. Quadrats were placed in a "T" shape, with the latitude and longitude coordinates of the site at the intersection of the T (see T Shaped Survey Drawing). The T shape was orthogonal to the orientation of the approaching waves - in other words the cross bar was parallel to shore while the stem was pointing towards the waves. There were four quadrats on each spoke - four to the left side of the T, four on the stem, and four on the right side of the T. 

For each quadrat, nylon rope was strung every 10 centimeters to create a grid with sixteen intersections that served as sampling points (see Quadrat Organization Diagram). At each point, we noted the marine organism(s) present at the location, using general functional groups such as 'limpet' and 'anemone'. Where possible, some organisms were identified to the species level; however that was not the intended purpose of the data collection so taxonomy was not prioritized. Organism size was measured as well using a plastic guide.