

Introduction
to the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary Site Characterization Project
Table 1
Proposed Outline of MBNMS Site Characterization
from Federal Register (U.S. Dept. of Commerce 1994) Request for Proposal for Site Characterization
of the MBNMS
I. Executive Summary of the Site Characterization
II. Introduction to the MB National Marine Sanctuary
III. Environmental and Historical/Cultural Conditions That Shape MBNMS
IV. Biological Communities
A. Kelp Forest and Rocky Subtidal Habitats
B. Rocky Intertidal Habitat
C. Soft Benthic Habitats
1. Sandy beaches
2. Shallow demersal habitats
3. Deeper demersal (shelf) habitats
D.Canyon and Steep Slope Habitats
E. Pelagic Habitats
1. Near-surface zone
2. Mid-water zone
3. Abyssal zone
F. Estuarine Habitats
V. Ecosystem Function
A. Nutrient Interactions
B. Energy Flow
C. Temporal and Spatial Variability
VI. Appendices
A. Maps
B. Common Species Lists For Biological Communities
C. Lists of Threatened and Endangered Species (State and Federal Listing)
D. Bibliography (including both cited and uncited literature)
