About this Dataset

Shallow Rock And Kelp Forest Ecosystems, California South Coast MPA Baseline Study, 2011 To 2012

We systematically surveyed 94 of the 122 nearshore rocky reefs in the California south coast study region (SCSR). This synoptic baseline survey was conducted at 75 individual sites in 2011 and 88 sites in 2012. In addition, we incorporate two similar ‘historical’ data sets from 59 sites in 2004 and 79 sites in 2008. From 2011-2012, we surveyed all accessible nearshore rocky reefs found in the SCSR MPAs and determined the appropriateness of references areas for each. This baseline provides, for the first time, a taxonomically exhaustive biogeographic assessment of the nearshore subtidal reefs in the SCSR, improving significantly on our knowledge of the region and incorporating newly established and existing MPAs. Results confirm previously described patterns for subtidal fishes, reflect the physical oceanographic complexities of the Southern California Bight and add new knowledge to biogeographic patterns of algae and invertebrates. The SCSR is characterized by strong environmental gradients, a major defining feature of the SCSR compared to the other California MLPA Study Regions that have relatively more spatially consistent physical environments. These differences are reflected biologically in a high degree of kelp forest community structure across the region. We identified 17 geographically cohesive community clusters, each with distinct fish, invertebrate, and algal assemblages (Figure ES.1). Although kelp forest communities in the SCSR are highly variable, the structure can be related to the sea surface temperature patterns caused by the confluence of the California Current, the Southern California Counter Current and localized upwelling. Benthic habitat structure also varies within the region; the geology and structure of island reefs are functionally different from mainland reefs. Mainland reefs generally are less steep, can be found significantly offshore of the coastline, and have a greater influence of sedimentation moving through the system. With few exceptions, island reefs are generally abrupt, high relief structures, tightly fit to the coastline with less influence of the nearby soft bottom habitat. Ideally, long-term monitoring of MPAs should be distributed across the distinct areas as each is likely to respond differently.
Organization: State of California
Last updated: 2021-09-08T16:18:06.269569
Tags: 2011, 2012, algae, baseline, biota, california, california-ocean-protection-council, ecological-data, environmental, fishes, habitat, invertebrates, kelp-forests, marine-protected-area, monitoring, mpa, oceans, rocky-reef, south-coast

Tables

Community Survey - Site Lookup Table

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.community_survey_site_lookup_table

9.1 kB
105 rows
7 columns

CREATE TABLE community_survey_site_lookup_table (
  "site" VARCHAR,
  "latitude" DOUBLE,
  "longitude" DOUBLE,
  "mpa_group_name" VARCHAR,
  "mpa_designation" VARCHAR,
  "unnamed_5" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 5,
  "unnamed_6" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 6
);

Community Survey - Species Lookup Table

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.community_survey_species_lookup_table

17.96 kB
547 rows
6 columns

CREATE TABLE community_survey_species_lookup_table (
  "sample_type" VARCHAR,
  "sample_subtype" VARCHAR,
  "classcode" VARCHAR,
  "genus" VARCHAR,
  "species" VARCHAR,
  "description_common_spp_name" VARCHAR
);

Community Survey - Species Lookup Table - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.community_survey_species_lookup_table_metadata

5.42 kB
6 rows
4 columns

CREATE TABLE community_survey_species_lookup_table_metadata (
  "attributename" VARCHAR,
  "attributelabel" VARCHAR,
  "attributedefinition" VARCHAR,
  "unnamed_3" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 3
);

Fish Survey - Data Table 2011-2012 - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.fish_survey_data_table_2011_2012_metadata

9.06 kB
15 rows
9 columns

CREATE TABLE fish_survey_data_table_2011_2012_metadata (
  "side" VARCHAR,
  "side_1" VARCHAR,
  "n__a_division_of_the_site_into_one" VARCHAR  -- "A Division Of The Site Into One,
  "n__two_or_three_areas" VARCHAR  -- Two Or Three Areas,
  "n__referred_to_as_sides_sides_may_be_east_e" VARCHAR  -- Referred To As Sides. Sides May Be East (E),
  "n__west_w" VARCHAR  -- West (W),
  "n__south_s" VARCHAR  -- South (S),
  "n__north_n_or_cen_central_a_side_represents_250m_of_coastline" VARCHAR  -- North (N) Or CEN (central)." A Side Represents ~250m Of Coastline,
  "unnamed_8" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 8
);

MPA Baseline Program Information - South Coast

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.mpa_baseline_program_information_south_coast

23.94 kB
10 rows
14 columns

CREATE TABLE mpa_baseline_program_information_south_coast (
  "consumptive" BIGINT,
  "deep" BIGINT,
  "estuarine_wetland" BIGINT,
  "kelp_shallow_rock" BIGINT,
  "mid_depth_rock" BIGINT,
  "nearshore_pelagic" BIGINT,
  "non_consumptive" BIGINT,
  "number_of_records" BIGINT,
  "rocky_intertidal" BIGINT,
  "sc_project_description" VARCHAR,
  "sc_project_short_code" VARCHAR,
  "sc_project_title" VARCHAR,
  "soft_intertidal" BIGINT,
  "soft_subtidal" BIGINT
);

MPA Baseline Program Information - South Coast - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.mpa_baseline_program_information_south_coast_metadata

4.55 kB
13 rows
2 columns

CREATE TABLE mpa_baseline_program_information_south_coast_metadata (
  "sc_mpa_baselineprograminformation_lookuptable_csv" VARCHAR,
  "lookup_containing_a_list_of_south_coast_sc_marine_prot_fadf387a" VARCHAR  -- Lookup Table Containing A List Of South Coast (SC) Marine Protected Area (MPA) Baseline Program Projects And Associated Information
);

MPA Boundary Details - South Coast

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.mpa_boundary_details_south_coast

23.47 kB
204 rows
14 columns

CREATE TABLE mpa_boundary_details_south_coast (
  "coordinate" VARCHAR,
  "lat_ddm" VARCHAR,
  "lat" DOUBLE,
  "long_ddm" VARCHAR,
  "long" DOUBLE,
  "mpa_name" VARCHAR,
  "mpa_designation" VARCHAR,
  "mpa_study_region" VARCHAR,
  "number_of_records" BIGINT,
  "position_id" VARCHAR,
  "post_text" VARCHAR,
  "pre_text" VARCHAR,
  "sort_order" BIGINT,
  "sub_section" BIGINT
);

MPA Boundary Details - South Coast - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.mpa_boundary_details_south_coast_metadata

5.21 kB
13 rows
2 columns

CREATE TABLE mpa_boundary_details_south_coast_metadata (
  "sc_mpa_boundaryinformation_lookuptable_csv" VARCHAR,
  "lookup_containing_a_list_of_south_coast_sc_marine_prot_4102ddf0" VARCHAR  -- Lookup Table Containing A List Of South Coast (SC) Marine Protected Area (MPA) Boundary Coordinates. The Boundary Coordinates In This Table Were Provided By Paulo Serpa, California Department Of Fish And Wildlife.
);

Size Frequency - Data Table 2011-2012

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.size_frequency_data_table_2011_2012

39.29 kB
15,390 rows
13 columns

CREATE TABLE size_frequency_data_table_2011_2012 (
  "campus" VARCHAR,
  "year" BIGINT,
  "month" BIGINT,
  "day" BIGINT,
  "site" VARCHAR,
  "side" VARCHAR,
  "zone" VARCHAR,
  "transect" DOUBLE,
  "classcode" VARCHAR,
  "size" DOUBLE,
  "count" BIGINT,
  "depth" DOUBLE,
  "observer" VARCHAR
);

Size Frequency - Data Table 2011-2012 - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.size_frequency_data_table_2011_2012_metadata

9.84 kB
7 rows
9 columns

CREATE TABLE size_frequency_data_table_2011_2012_metadata (
  "side" VARCHAR,
  "side_1" VARCHAR,
  "n__a_division_of_the_site_into_one" VARCHAR  -- "A Division Of The Site Into One,
  "n__two_or_three_areas" VARCHAR  -- Two Or Three Areas,
  "n__referred_to_as_sides_sides_may_be_east_e" VARCHAR  -- Referred To As Sides. Sides May Be East (E),
  "n__west_w" VARCHAR  -- West (W),
  "n__south_s" VARCHAR  -- South (S),
  "n__north_n_or_cen_central_a_side_represents_250m_of_coastline" VARCHAR  -- North (N) Or CEN (central)." A Side Represents ~250m Of Coastline,
  "unnamed_8" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 8
);

Swath Survey - Data Table 2011-2012

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.swath_survey_data_table_2011_2012

74.58 kB
24,187 rows
13 columns

CREATE TABLE swath_survey_data_table_2011_2012 (
  "campus" VARCHAR,
  "year" BIGINT,
  "month" BIGINT,
  "day" BIGINT,
  "site" VARCHAR,
  "side" VARCHAR,
  "zone" VARCHAR,
  "transect" BIGINT,
  "classcode" VARCHAR,
  "count" BIGINT,
  "macstipes" DOUBLE,
  "depth" DOUBLE,
  "observer" VARCHAR
);

Swath Survey - Data Table 2011-2012 - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.swath_survey_data_table_2011_2012_metadata

9.9 kB
7 rows
9 columns

CREATE TABLE swath_survey_data_table_2011_2012_metadata (
  "side" VARCHAR,
  "side_1" VARCHAR,
  "n__a_division_of_the_site_into_one" VARCHAR  -- "A Division Of The Site Into One,
  "n__two_or_three_areas" VARCHAR  -- Two Or Three Areas,
  "n__referred_to_as_sides_sides_may_be_east_e" VARCHAR  -- Referred To As Sides. Sides May Be East (E),
  "n__west_w" VARCHAR  -- West (W),
  "n__south_s" VARCHAR  -- South (S),
  "n__north_n_or_cen_central_a_side_represents_250m_of_coastline" VARCHAR  -- North (N) Or CEN (central)." A Side Represents ~250m Of Coastline,
  "unnamed_8" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 8
);

Uniform Point Contact - Data Table 2011-2012 - Metadata

@usgov.ca_gov_shallow_rock_and_kelp_forest_ecosystems_califor_c1f0e95e.uniform_point_contact_data_table_2011_2012_metadata

10.19 kB
9 rows
9 columns

CREATE TABLE uniform_point_contact_data_table_2011_2012_metadata (
  "side" VARCHAR,
  "side_1" VARCHAR,
  "n__a_division_of_the_site_into_one" VARCHAR  -- "A Division Of The Site Into One,
  "n__two_or_three_areas" VARCHAR  -- Two Or Three Areas,
  "n__referred_to_as_sides_sides_may_be_east_e" VARCHAR  -- Referred To As Sides. Sides May Be East (E),
  "n__west_w" VARCHAR  -- West (W),
  "n__south_s" VARCHAR  -- South (S),
  "n__north_n_or_cen_central_a_side_represents_250m_of_coastline" VARCHAR  -- North (N) Or CEN (central)." A Side Represents ~250m Of Coastline,
  "unnamed_8" VARCHAR  -- Unnamed: 8
);