PISCO Invert and Algae Training Program:

1. Introductions- Individuals, affiliations- Programs: PISCO, CRANE

2. PISCO Annual Surveys- purpose / questions- design

3. Invertebrate and Algae Swath Protocol 4. UPC Survey Protocol5. Buddy Team Strategy

Partnership forInterdisciplinaryStudies of Coastal Oceans

Consortium of 4 research universities:• Oregon State University

• UC Santa Cruz

• Stanford – Hopkins Marine Station

• UC Santa Barbara

Funded by: David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Department of Interior, State of CaliforniaGordan and Betty Moore Foundation

Objectives of PISCO

• A long-term, large scale-ecological study of patterns and processes

• An unprecedented interdisciplinary effort to study coastal reef ecosystems(e.g., ecologists, physical oceanographers,

physiologists, geneticists)

• Communication between scientists,managers, policy-makers, and user groups

• A novel interdisciplinary training program

To initiate and maintain:

1. To describe patterns of annual and spatial variability of populations, community structure, kelp forest ecosystems;

2. To identify the potential role of variation in:

- habitat features (e.g., substrate type, relief)- species interactions- oceanographic conditions (e.g., exposure, El Nino)- human activities (fishing, runoff)

in explaining observed spatial and temporal patterns

Purposes (questions)

Annual Kelp Forest Surveys

2. Marine reserves and “paired” comparison sitesa) Hopkins MLRb) Pt Lobosc) Big Creekd) Channel Islands Marine Reserves

WhenJuly-October (early=invertebrate and algae; mid-season: benthic and midwater fish; later=canopy fish)

Where1. Different oceanographic regimes

a) North and south of Monterey Bayb) Carmel Bayc) Big Sur coast - Cayucosd) Above, below, and at Pt Conception breake) Channel Islands

Annual Survey Design

CaliforniaCurrent

CaliforniaCounter Current

California

Pacific Ocean

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

UCSCSubtidal Monitoring Sites byYear SamplingBegan

Coastline

Fish transect distribution

5 m

10 m

15 m

20 m

12 m

5 m

20 m

Algae / invertebrate transect distribution

Within-site Sampling Design

Annual SurveysSpatial Sampling Design

1. Spatial (depth) stratification:

Shallow (S) = 5 m, Mid (M) = 12.5 m, Deep (D) = 20 m

designed to assure that all depth zones are representatively sampled for description of invert and algae assemblages.

2. Also to assure representative sampling from outer to inner edges of the reef!

3. If reef depths are constrained (e.g., 5-10 m), then sampling is distributed from outer to inner edges of reef including comparable depths (when possible) to those above (e.g., 5 and 10 m), plus additional depth strata to assure coverage from inner to outer edges of the reef.

Annual Surveys - Spatial Sampling Design

4. Narrow reefs (inner to outer or across depth strata) are sampled with increased within-stratum replication (i.e. more than 3 transects per stratum per area (to approximate the usual 24 transects per site).

This allows us to compare:

A) Population densities and assemblage structure at similar depths throughout the range of the project (i.e. southern, central and northern CA), and

B) Populations and assemblages between reefs with similar sampling intensity.

5. Important that same depth (or inner-outer) strata are sampled every year, regardless of location of kelp forest.

This allows us to document dynamics of kelp forest coverage (inner to outer) within and between sites and how the species distribution responds to changes in kelp distribution.

……

Time

Site

Area

Zone(5 m, 12.5 m, 20 m)

1999 200n

1 2 253

1 2

S D

Transects:2

……

Annual Surveys - Overall Sampling Design

M

Invertebrate and Algae Swath TransectsWhich species are sampled?

Ecologically important invertebrates representing a varietydifferent ecological roles

Annual Surveys

Herbivore

Detritivore

Planktivore

Predator

Photos: Lonhart/MBNMS

Species of Economic Importance

King/MBNMS

Lonhart/MBNMS

Efird

Conspicuous and identifiable species

Swaths should extend one meter on either side of the transect line.

Swath Surveys

Maintain reasonable speed (~20 minutes per transect) and only count invertebrates 2.5 cm or larger in diameter.

Top view of transect

Transect line

1 m

eter

1 m

eter

SUB-SAMPLING in each 10m segmentOnce 30 individuals of a species are counted, indicate how many meters you have sampled within the 10 m segment (NOT THE METER MARK!) and discontinue counting until you reach the next 10m segment.

Indicating the meter mark causes much discrepancy, because you will not always swim a transect in the 0-30m direction.

Use a flashlight at all times when surveying for swath invertebrates to make sure organisms in cracks and crevices

are accounted for.

Algae are also counted using Swath techniques.Count all individuals 30 cm or larger, except Macrocystis and

Nereocystis (>1 m) and Cystoseira (>6 cm diameter).

>6cm

1m

Efird

Data are collected every 0.5 meter for 30 meters.

UPC SurveysUniform Point Contact

Transect tapes are marked at 0.5 meter increments for sampling ease.

Top view of transect

0.5 meter

Transect line

Data are collected every 0.5 meter for 30 meters.

UPC SurveysUniform Point Contact

Transect tapes are marked at 0.5 meter increments for sampling ease.

Top view of transect

Transect line

0.5 meter

Each 10 meter segment contains 20 data points for each of three catagories:

Substrate

Relief

Point

(Superlayer)

If your point falls on a mobile invertebrate or epibiont, make sure you are recording the organism underneath it that is

directly attached to the substrate.

Lonhart/MBNMS

How to correctly identify the categories of ‘substrate’ and ‘point’ will be covered during the identification portion of this class.

Efird

The SUPERLAYER category is tallied only when algae- either drift or Laminaria farlowii- lies over the primary substrate holder. After

marking the presence of the superlayer, move the algae and record the primary substrate holder.

Oftentimes, drift will not be encountered. It is therefore important to check the ‘Looked for’ box, so that an absence of data points

can be differentiated from when it has not been looked for.

Figurski

Figurski

Relief is the absolute difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point within a 1 meter by 0.5 meter rectangle.

0.5 meter

1 m

ete

r

Top view of transect

Transect line

Relief is the absolute difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point within a 1 meter by 0.5 meter rectangle.

0.5 meter

Top view of transect

Transect line

The rectangle is centered on the UPC point, and the areas do not overlap.

1 m

ete

r

End-on view of transect

Greatest vertical distance

1 meter

1 meter

Transect line

1 meter(10 cm-1 m)

2 meters(>2 m)

Relief is the absolute difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point within a 1 meter by 0.5 meter rectangle.

Transect line

UPC SurveysUniform Point Contact

Remember not to bias your data! Use an imaginary long, sharp, steel rod (or lightning bolt)

to place your point.

Transect line

Benthic Transect Strategy

For Benthic surveys, the UPC diver and Swath diver work along a single transect tape.

Benthic Transect Strategy

The UPC diver swims the transect tape out the entire 30 meters along the depth contour, without taking data.

The Swath diver begins taking data along the meter tape.

Benthic Transect Strategy

The UPC diver secures the meter tape at the end and begins taking data in the reverse direction along the transect.

Benthic Transect Strategy

The Swath diver completes the 30 m invertebrate transect and begins to

swim in the reverse direction taking algae swath data.

Benthic Transect Strategy

When the UPC diver reaches the end of the 30 meter transect, they begin taking algae swath data back towards the Swath diver.

Benthic Transect Strategy

Once they meet along the meter tape, one diver returns to the end and reels up the tape. Divers then proceed to the next transect by swimming about 10

meters opposite of the starting direction.

For invertebrates and algae for which individuals can be counted separately, sampling along SWATHs produces estimates of density (# individuals/area). For invertebrates and algae for which individuals cannot be counted separately, UNIFORM POINT CONTACT produces estimates of percent cover.

SWATH surveys encompass a 30 meter by 2 meter band.

UPC surveys describe a series of discrete points along a 30 meter transect.

Throughout sampling procedure, divers must assure safety by communicating as much as possible.

Summary