Cover • Principle Findings • Introduction • Methods & Results • Data Summry •
Discussion/Conclusion • Glossary • Literature Cited
Figures & Tables • 1989/1999 Kelp Bed Maps
Discussion and Conclusion
Discussion The data acquisition methodology utilized in
this survey was established for the 1989 California
state-wide inventory, and, with limited exception,
has remained consistent in this current effort. The
only change in data acquisition parameters has
involved changing the camera/film format from 35mm
in 1989 to 70mm in 1999, and the flight altitude
from 7,500' MSL in 1989 to 9,500' MSL in 1999. The
larger film format utilized in 1999 allowed this
increase in altitude without sacrificing resolution
on the imagery, and permitted the kelp canopies to
be more quickly imaged on the few optimum survey
days. Both the 1989 and 1999 kelp resource imagery
was obtained within previously described 'ioptimum
survey windows", judged of excellent quality, and
equivalent with regard to its utility in accurately
depicting the summer maximum coastal kelp resource
during each of the survey years. With limited noted exception, all other data
processing, mapping and anaiysis methodology, in
addition to computation, tabulation, and
presentation formats have remained consistent in
this 1999 inventory, when compared to the previous
1989 effort. This should allow valid future
quantitative comparisons of trends in kelp resource
abundance as this inventory is continued. Conclusion in response to the stated resource monitoring
and research mandate of the sanctuary program; this
survey provided important data regarding the status
of current kelp canopy abundance, in addition to
comparisons with the 1989 inventory. We acknowledge
the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for
their encouragement and support of this work, and
for their commitment to a better understanding of
the complex processes structuring the nearshore
marine environment.
This scope of this inventory was established to
provide a current, accurate measurement of the
coastal kelp resource located within the Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary, to provide base-line
documentation of resource extent. In addition,
future inventories will expand on this analysis in
an effort to promote a better understanding of the
seasonal dynamics of this important resource. In
this regard, discussion will be limited to
comparative methodology and sources of error that
may affect the accuracy of this current inventory,
and its subsequent utility for multi-year
comparative purposes.
This coastal kelp resource inventory was
established to be a tool in the hands of
researchers, and agency management professionals,
leading toward a better understanding of the marine
environment within the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary.
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Last modified on: Jan 8,
2000