http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset/990939
eng; USA
utf8
dataset
Highest level of data collection, from a common set of sensors or instrumentation, usually within the same research project
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
2026-01-05
ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data
ISO 19115-2:2009(E)
Percent cover and density measurements of sessile and mobile intertidal species from an Annual Colonization Experiment (ACE) in the rocky intertidal zone, Oregon Coast from 2011 to 2023
2026-01-30
publication
2026-01-30
revision
BCO-DMO Linked Data URI
2026-01-30
creation
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset/990939
Bruce A. Menge
Oregon State University
principalInvestigator
Sarah Gravem
Oregon State University
principalInvestigator
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
publisher
Cite this dataset as: Gravem, S., Menge, B. A. (2026) Percent cover and density measurements of sessile and mobile intertidal species from an Annual Colonization Experiment (ACE) in the rocky intertidal zone, Oregon Coast from 2011 to 2023. Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO). (Version 1) Version Date 2026-01-30 [if applicable, indicate subset used]. http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset/990939 [access date]
Dataset Description: <p>ACE =&nbsp;Annual Colonization Experiment</p> Methods and Sampling: <p>Species interaction experiments called ACE, <span style="font-size:13px">Annual Colonization Experiment</span> includes six treatments to test the main and interactive effects of predation, competition and disturbance on annual colonization of rocky substrates in the mid-zone of the rocky intertidal along the Oregon Coast (see site list attached). The experiment began in 2011 and is repeated annually. All plots are 15 x 15cm and fixed, &nbsp;and the experiment is repeated in the same location each year. &nbsp;Each spring (usually April or May), all plots are cleared of all biomass using scrapers and oven cleaner to reset the community. The exception is the control plots &nbsp;(CO) which were started in 2021 and are nearby plots that have never been intentionally disturbed. &nbsp; There are 6 treatments that include 1) undisturbed controls of the climax community which is typically mussel-dominated, 2) marked plots that are cleared annually to capture annual prey colonization and serve as controls for the interaction experiments, 3) 2) partial cages that serve as cage controls for the interaction experiments 3) predator exclusion cages where an open-topped metal cage is placed around the plot to deter entry by predatory whelks and sea stars and where mussel and barnacle colonization occurs undeterred (to test predation), 4) &nbsp;predator exclusion + barnacle removal cages in which predator are excluded plus barnacle settlers removed (to test facilitation by barnacles of mussels), and 5) &nbsp;predator exclusion + mussel removal cages &nbsp;in which predator are excluded plus mussel settlers removed &nbsp;(to test competition effects of mussels on barnacles). All plots are photographed approximately monthly, and treatments are maintained by removing predators that in the cages and by clearing the relevant competitors (mussels or barnacles). Photos are analyzed by overlaying a 5 x5 grid onto the photo in Image J (so that each square is 4% cover) and estimating the % cover of each major space holder to the nearest 1%. &nbsp;Space holders include: free space, algal crusts, acorn barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, mussels, articulated coralline algae, foliose algae and other sessile invertebrates. We also count the number of sea stars, whelks, and other herbivores. &nbsp;Each spring, all plots are cleared and biomass collected (except controls). Biomass of functional groups is measured as wet and dry mass of mussels, barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, mobile predators, herbivores, and other.&nbsp;</p>
Funding provided by NSF Division of Environmental Biology (NSF DEB) Award Number: DEB-2050017 Award URL: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award?AWD_ID=2050017
onGoing
Bruce A. Menge
Oregon State University
541-737-5358
Department of Integrative Biology 4575 SW Research Way
Corvallis
OR
97333
USA
mengeb@oregonstate.edu
pointOfContact
Sarah Gravem
Oregon State University
sgravem@calpoly.edu
pointOfContact
asNeeded
Dataset Version: 1
Unknown
PhotoID
PlotID
SurveyID
ProjectCode
State
Region
Cape
SiteCode_STARS
Site
Latitude
Longitude
Treat
PredTreat
CompTreat
CageTreat
ClearTreat
StartYear
StartDate
DaysSinceClear
Season
Date
Year
Month
Day
Rep
Tot_Free
Tot_Crust
Tot_AcornBarns
Tot_GooseBarns
Tot_Muss
Tot_OthSessInv
Tot_ArtCoral
Tot_Foliose
Tot_Stars
Tot_Whelks
Tot_Herb
Tot_OthMobInv
theme
None, User defined
file_name
site description
project
region
Site_ID
site
latitude
longitude
treatment
year
date begin
time_elapsed
season
date
month of year
day of month
replicate
percent coverage
count
featureType
BCO-DMO Standard Parameters
otherRestrictions
otherRestrictions
Access Constraints: none. Use Constraints: Please follow guidelines at: http://www.bco-dmo.org/terms-use Distribution liability: Under no circumstances shall BCO-DMO be liable for any direct, incidental, special, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials in this data submission. If you are dissatisfied with any materials in this data submission your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use.
LTREB: Testing tipping points in a model rocky intertidal meta-ecosystem – Climate-change, increasing variances, and response mechanisms
https://osprey.bco-dmo.org/project/865695
LTREB: Testing tipping points in a model rocky intertidal meta-ecosystem – Climate-change, increasing variances, and response mechanisms
<p>NSF abstract:</p>
<p>In recent decades, ocean ecosystems, long thought to be immune to change, have undergone disruptions to their structure, diversity, and geographic range, yet the actual underlying reasons for such changes in oceanic biota are often unclear. Coastal intertidal zones (i.e., the shore between high and low tides) have long served as important ecological model systems because of advantages in accessibility and ease of observation, occupancy by easily studied and manipulated organisms of relatively short lifespans, and exposure to often severe environmental conditions. This research will address the stability of a well-known rocky shore system along the Oregon and California coasts. Prior long-term research indicates that, although casual observation suggests these systems are stable, in fact, they may be on the cusp of shifting into another state, losing iconic organisms like mussels and sea stars, and becoming dominated by seaweeds. These changes might be comparable to losing trees and large predators from terrestrial systems. This study would result in the training of undergraduates and graduate students, including individuals from under-represented groups. Additionally, this study would include outreach to the general public.</p>
<p>The researchers will focus particularly on impacts of increasing and more variable warming on community recovery. For example, climate oscillations (e.g., El Niño), coastal upwelling, and particularly temperature have all changed in recent decades in ways leading to increased stress on intertidal biota. In apparent response, coastal ecosystems evidently have become less productive, organismal performance (growth, reproduction) has declined, and key dynamical processes (species interactions) have weakened. The new research will pursue these strong hints of an impending “tipping point” by (1) continuing the projects that led to the insights of increasing instability, (2) adding new projects that will pinpoint ecological changes, and (3) expanding the region of work to include locations in California. Research will assess whether or not sea stars recover from wasting disease, experimentally test if species interactions are indeed weakening, quantify the annual inputs of new prey and changes in abundance, diversity, stability, and resilience of intertidal communities, and document changes in the physical environment. Using field observations and experiments, the research will provide insight into impacts of environmental change, particularly warming, on the future of coastal ecosystems, and more generally, into possible future states of Earth’s ecosystems. Using these data, we will test the hypothesis that direct and indirect effects of climate change are driving, or may drive these systems into new, alternative states.</p>
<p>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.</p>
LTREB Intertidal Tipping Points
largerWorkCitation
project
eng; USA
oceans
-124.56512
-124.05875
42.717772
44.83863831
2011-06-01
2023-11-29
West coast of North America
0
BCO-DMO catalogue of parameters from Percent cover and density measurements of sessile and mobile intertidal species from an Annual Colonization Experiment (ACE) in the rocky intertidal zone, Oregon Coast from 2011 to 2023
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993393.rdf
Name: PhotoID
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Identifier for each photo showing SiteCode, StartYear, Replicate, Treatment, and PhotoDate. E.g. CB_2011_5_MP_2012-04-10.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993394.rdf
Name: PlotID
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Identifier for each plot showing SiteCode, Replicate, Treatment. E.g. CB_5_MP.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993395.rdf
Name: SurveyID
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Identifier for each survey showing SiteCode, Project, Date E.g. CB_ACE_2012-04-10.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993396.rdf
Name: ProjectCode
Units: unitless
Description: <p>ACE for Annual Colonization Experiment.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993397.rdf
Name: State
Units: unitless
Description: <p>State experiment performed. All Oregon.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993398.rdf
Name: Region
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Region experiment performed. All Oregon.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993399.rdf
Name: Cape
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Cape experiment performed. [Foulweather, Perpetua, Blanco]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993400.rdf
Name: SiteCode_STARS
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Abbreviated Site Code.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993401.rdf
Name: Site
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Site Name.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993402.rdf
Name: Latitude
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Latitude of Site.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993403.rdf
Name: Longitude
Units: decimal degrees
Description: <p>Longitude of Site.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993404.rdf
Name: Treat
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Detailed cage treatment of the plot. [CO = Control, never cleared; MP = Marked Plot Control, plot cleared annually; FC = Partial Fence Control, plot cleared annually; CG = Predator exclusion cage, plot cleared annually; CG-C = Predator exclusion cage, barnacles removed ~monthly, plot cleared annually; CG-M = Predator exclusion cage, mussels removed ~monthly, plot cleared annually]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993405.rdf
Name: PredTreat
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Predator treatment of the plot. Cages exclude predators, primarily whelks in this zone . [Predators present, Predators absent]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993406.rdf
Name: CompTreat
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Competitor treatment of the plot. Competitors removed ~monthly. [No competitors, removed, Mussels removed, Barnacles removed]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993407.rdf
Name: CageTreat
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Simple Cage Treatment of the plot. [Cage absent, Cage present]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993408.rdf
Name: ClearTreat
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Annual clearing treatment of the plot. [Cleared, Not cleared]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993409.rdf
Name: StartYear
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Year clearance started. Usually clearances are in spring and plots are monitored until the following spring.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993410.rdf
Name: StartDate
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Date clearance started. Usually clearances are in spring and plots are monitored until the following spring.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993411.rdf
Name: DaysSinceClear
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Days since clearance started for the site (even if plot wasn't cleared).</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993412.rdf
Name: Season
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Season photo taken.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993413.rdf
Name: Date
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Date photo taken.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993414.rdf
Name: Year
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Year photo taken.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993415.rdf
Name: Month
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Month photo taken.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993416.rdf
Name: Day
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Day photo taken.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993417.rdf
Name: Rep
Units: unitless
Description: <p>Replicate. Each replicate has one of each treatment and is clustered in space. [1 to 5]</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993418.rdf
Name: Tot_Free
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover free space.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993419.rdf
Name: Tot_Crust
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover algal crusts.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993420.rdf
Name: Tot_AcornBarns
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover acorn barnacles.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993421.rdf
Name: Tot_GooseBarns
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover gooseneck barnacles.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993422.rdf
Name: Tot_Muss
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover mussels.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993423.rdf
Name: Tot_OthSessInv
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover other sessile invertebrates.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993424.rdf
Name: Tot_ArtCoral
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover articulated coralline algae.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993425.rdf
Name: Tot_Foliose
Units: percent
Description: <p>Total % cover foliose algae.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993426.rdf
Name: Tot_Stars
Units: count
Description: <p>Total number of sea stars.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993427.rdf
Name: Tot_Whelks
Units: count
Description: <p>Total number of whelks.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993428.rdf
Name: Tot_Herb
Units: count
Description: <p>Total number of herbivores - snails and chitons.</p>
http://lod.bco-dmo.org/id/dataset-parameter/993429.rdf
Name: Tot_OthMobInv
Units: count
Description: <p>Total number of other mobile invertebrates.</p>
GB/NERC/BODC > British Oceanographic Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, United Kingdom
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact
https://osprey.bco-dmo.org/dataset/990939/data/download
download
onLine
dataset
<p>Species interaction experiments called ACE, <span style="font-size:13px">Annual Colonization Experiment</span> includes six treatments to test the main and interactive effects of predation, competition and disturbance on annual colonization of rocky substrates in the mid-zone of the rocky intertidal along the Oregon Coast (see site list attached). The experiment began in 2011 and is repeated annually. All plots are 15 x 15cm and fixed, &nbsp;and the experiment is repeated in the same location each year. &nbsp;Each spring (usually April or May), all plots are cleared of all biomass using scrapers and oven cleaner to reset the community. The exception is the control plots &nbsp;(CO) which were started in 2021 and are nearby plots that have never been intentionally disturbed. &nbsp; There are 6 treatments that include 1) undisturbed controls of the climax community which is typically mussel-dominated, 2) marked plots that are cleared annually to capture annual prey colonization and serve as controls for the interaction experiments, 3) 2) partial cages that serve as cage controls for the interaction experiments 3) predator exclusion cages where an open-topped metal cage is placed around the plot to deter entry by predatory whelks and sea stars and where mussel and barnacle colonization occurs undeterred (to test predation), 4) &nbsp;predator exclusion + barnacle removal cages in which predator are excluded plus barnacle settlers removed (to test facilitation by barnacles of mussels), and 5) &nbsp;predator exclusion + mussel removal cages &nbsp;in which predator are excluded plus mussel settlers removed &nbsp;(to test competition effects of mussels on barnacles). All plots are photographed approximately monthly, and treatments are maintained by removing predators that in the cages and by clearing the relevant competitors (mussels or barnacles). Photos are analyzed by overlaying a 5 x5 grid onto the photo in Image J (so that each square is 4% cover) and estimating the % cover of each major space holder to the nearest 1%. &nbsp;Space holders include: free space, algal crusts, acorn barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, mussels, articulated coralline algae, foliose algae and other sessile invertebrates. We also count the number of sea stars, whelks, and other herbivores. &nbsp;Each spring, all plots are cleared and biomass collected (except controls). Biomass of functional groups is measured as wet and dry mass of mussels, barnacles, gooseneck barnacles, mobile predators, herbivores, and other.&nbsp;</p>
Specified by the Principal Investigator(s)
* Table within sheet 1 of the submitted file "BCODMOSubmission_ACEMasterWide_ByFunc_2025-07-16.xlsx" was imported into the BCO-DMO data system for this dataset. Values "NA" imported as missing data values. Table will appear as Data File: 990939_v1_ace-experiment.csv (along with other download format options).
Missing Data Identifiers:
* In the BCO-DMO data system missing data identifiers are displayed according to the format of data you access. For example, in csv files it will be blank (null) values. In Matlab .mat files it will be NaN values. When viewing data online at BCO-DMO, the missing value will be shown as blank (null) values.
* Table within BCODMO_SiteList_STARS_2023-04-11_SAG.xlsx added as supplemental file sitelist_stars.csv
Specified by BCO-DMO Data Managers
asNeeded
7.x-1.1
Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Unavailable
508-289-2009
WHOI MS#36
Woods Hole
MA
02543
USA
info@bco-dmo.org
http://www.bco-dmo.org
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
For questions regarding this resource, please contact BCO-DMO via the email address provided.
pointOfContact