Cover • Principle Findings • Introduction • Methods & Results • Data Summry •
Discussion/Conclusion • Glossary • Literature Cited
Figures & Tables • 1989/1999 Kelp Bed Maps
Data Summary and Principle Findings
Data
Summarv In addition, it is intended in future surveys,
to substantially expand the scope of this analysis
to include numerous areas of research interest, and
to track the sanctuary wide kelp resource, by kelp
species, to better understand the inter-specific
interactions and environmental structuring elements
of the MBNMS kelp resource. Principle
Findinqs 1) Summary of the 1999 Sanctuary-wide Kelp
Resource Extent The total 1999 surface kelp canopY resource,
within the MBNMS (CDF&G kelp beds 208-225),
occupied canopY/Planimeter areas of 14.053 sq. mi.
and 22.358 sq. mi., respectively. The relative
density index was measured at .63. 2) Summary of the 1989 Sanctuary-wide Kelp
Resource Extent The total 1989 surface kelp canopv resource,
within the MBNMS (CDF&G kelp beds 208-225),
occupied canopv/planimeter areas of 16.918 sq. mi.
and 25.814 sq. mi., respectively. The relative
densitv index was measured at .66. 3) Summary Comparisons of the 1989-99
Sanctuary-wide Kelp Resource The total sanctuary-wide kelp resource canoPv
area siqnificantly decreased (p=,05) from 16.918
sq. mi. to 14.053 sq. mi., which represented a 17%
loss of surface canopy from that measured in 1989.
The 1989-1999 total kelp bed planimeter area also
si~nificantly decreased from 25.814 to 22.358 sq.
mi., which represented a 14% loss of perimeter
extent. The relative densitv index also decreased
from .66 (1989) to .63 (1999), but was
statistically unchanged. The ~reatest loss in kelp canopy extent between
the two inventories was observed within the
Monterey Bay itself (CDF~G canopies 222, 221 and
220), and the qreatest aain in kelp resource extent
was noted in canopy 217, between Yankee Pt. And Pt.
Sur.
This data summary will focus mainly on a "large
scale" assessment of the 1999 MBNMS coastal kelp
resource, and changes observed since the 1989
inventory. As a result of this data tabulation
method, though, additional "small scale" changes in
kelp resource extent may become apparent, as
further research is conducted. Investigators are
encouraged to use these data in that regard. Care
must be taken, though, in interpreting these
observed changes, since only two data sets were
involved, spanning ten years. At best, these data
represent short-term changes only and don't
necessarily reflect long-term trends in kelp
resource extent and distribution.
The princiPle findinqs from the 1999 Monterey Bay
National Marine Sanctuary kelp resource inventory
were summarized, by CDF&G kelp bed numbers, as
follows: 1) 1999 kelp resource extent, 2~ 19&5
kelp resource extent, and 3) Comparisons of the
1989 and 1999 sanctuary-wide coastal kelp
resource.
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Last modified on: Jan 8,
2000