Epibenthic community biomass in Aleutian Island kelp forests, June 2016 and July 2017 (Kelp Forest Ecosystem Engineer Loss project)

Website: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/728084
Data Type: Cruise Results
Version: 1
Version Date: 2018-02-20

Project
» Collaborative Research: Changes in ecosystem production and benthic biodiversity following the widespread loss of an ecosystem engineer (Kelp Forest Ecosystem Engineer Loss)
ContributorsAffiliationRole
Edwards, MatthewSan Diego State University (SDSU)Principal Investigator
Konar, BrendaUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)Co-Principal Investigator
Metzger, Jacob R.University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)Contact
Copley, NancyWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)BCO-DMO Data Manager

Abstract
Epibenthic community biomass in Aleutian Island kelp forests, June 2016 and July 2017.


Coverage

Spatial Extent: N:53.39239 E:-167.62222 S:51.40996 W:-179.30663
Temporal Extent: 2016-06-17 - 2017-07-23

Dataset Description

This dataset includes community biomass measured as kilograms per square meter. These data are presented in Metzger et al, 2019.


Methods & Sampling

Sampling locations were from the Aleutian Archipelago nearshore between longitude 173.9 and -167.6 in June 2016 and July 2017. The average depth 17.5 ft.

To assess community structure at each site, two methods were used. First, to quantify the remainder of the epibenthic community, ten 0.25 m2 quadrats were haphazardly placed within each site. Within these quadrats, the percent bottom cover was visually estimated for bare substrate, kelp holdfasts, suspension feeders, pulvinate green algae (Codium spp.), and non-geniculate coralline algae - with differentiation made between Clathromorphum spp. and other encrusting coralline species.

Following visual estimation, all epibenthic organisms—excepting those strongly adhered to the substrate (e.g., barnacles, non-geniculate coralline algae, etc.)— were scraped from the substrate and placed in fine mesh collection bags for shipboard identification, and abundance and biomass determination. Second, three 10 m x 2 m swaths were placed haphazardly within each site. Within each swath, E. fistulosa stipes were counted, midwater and demersal fishes visually quantified by trained divers, and Also, all conspicuous, sparsely distributed large mobile invertebrates (i.e., sea stars, crab, and large gastropods with distributions assumed to be less than 1 per 2.5 m2, the total area covered by the above quadrats) were collected in fine mesh bags for shipboard abundance and biomass determination. Once onboard, organisms were identified to the lowest possible taxa, counted (if the species occur as discrete individuals) and weighed using hanging spring scales to determine biomass to the nearest .005 kg. Ambiguous or difficult to identify individuals were preserved in 10% formalin (for invertebrates) or pressed (for algae) for later identification.


Data Processing Description

All statistical analyses were done using PRIMER-E v. 7.0.13 (Clarke and Gorley 2015). Prior to multivariate analyses, abundance and biomass data were standardized to m2 to allow for pooling across sampling methods using Microsoft Excel for Mac v.16.9.

BCO-DMO Processing Notes:
- added conventional header with dataset name, PI name, version date
- modified parameter names to conform with BCO-DMO naming conventions
- added Lat and Long columns from sampling site dataset
- reduced decimal precision of depth and depth_stdev from 13 decimal places to 1; reduced biomass columns from 16 decimal places to 2 or none for 0.
- corrected spelling of 7 taxa to agree with World Register of Marine Species names


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Data Files

File
biomass.csv
(Comma Separated Values (.csv), 43.64 KB)
MD5:a4e04d83826380971812d5aa30f0055d
Primary data file for dataset ID 728084

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Related Publications

Clarke, K. R., and Gorley, R. N. (2015). PRIMER v7: user manual/tutorial 3rd ed. Plymouth, United Kingdom: Primer-E Ltd.
Methods
Konar, B., Edwards, M. S., Bland, A., Metzger, J., Ravelo, A., Traiger, S., & Weitzman, B. (2017). A swath across the great divide: Kelp forests across the Samalga Pass biogeographic break. Continental Shelf Research, 143, 78–88. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2017.06.007
Methods
Metzger, J. R., Konar, B., & Edwards, M. S. (2019). Assessing a macroalgal foundation species: community variation with shifting algal assemblages. Marine Biology, 166(12). doi:10.1007/s00227-019-3606-1
Results

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Parameters

ParameterDescriptionUnits
Site

sampling site identifer

unitless
Island

island name

unitless
Habitat

type of habitat: kelp; barren; transition

unitless
Region

East-west sampling region

unitless
Year

sampling year

unitless
Lat

latitude; north is positive

decimal degrees
Long

longtude; east is positive

decimal degrees
Depth_avg_ft

average sampling depth

feet
Depth_stdev

sampling depth standard deviation

feet
Acanthodoris_spp

Biomass of Acanthodoris spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Acarnus_erithacus

Biomass of Acarnus erithacus

kilograms/meter^2
Acmaea_mitra

Biomass of Acmaea mitra

kilograms/meter^2
Acropora_spp

Biomass of Acropora spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Actiniaria_spp

Biomass of Actiniaria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Agarum_clathratum

Biomass of Agarum clathratum

kilograms/meter^2
Agarum_clathrus

Biomass of Agarum clathrus

kilograms/meter^2
Alaria_marginata

Biomass of Alaria marginata

kilograms/meter^2
Alcyonacea_spp

Biomass of Alcyonacea spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Alcyonidium_gelatinosum

Biomass of Alcyonidium gelatinosum

kilograms/meter^2
Alcyonidium_spp

Biomass of Alcyonidium spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Alcyonium_spp

Biomass of Alcyonium spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Aleutiaster_schefferi

Biomass of Aleutiaster schefferi

kilograms/meter^2
Amphipoda_spp

Biomass of Amphipoda spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Annelida_spp

Biomass of Annelida spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Anthozoa_spp

Biomass of Anthozoa spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Arctomelon_tamikoae

Biomass of Arctomelon tamikoae

kilograms/meter^2
Ariadnaria_insignis

Biomass of Ariadnaria insignis

kilograms/meter^2
Ascidiacea_spp

Biomass of Ascidiacea spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Axinella_spp

Biomass of Axinella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Bacillariophyceae_spp

Biomass of Bacillariophyceae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Balanus_spp

Biomass of Balanus spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Beringius_crebricostatus

Biomass of Beringius crebricostatus

kilograms/meter^2
Beringius_spp

Biomass of Beringius spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Boreotrophon_spp

Biomass of Boreotrophon spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Bossiella_spp

Biomass of Bossiella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Brachiopoda_spp

Biomass of Brachiopoda spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Bryozoa_spp

Biomass of Bryozoa spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Buccinidae_spp

Biomass of Buccinidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Callophyllis_spp_1

Biomass of Callophyllis spp 1

kilograms/meter^2
Callophyllis_spp_2

Biomass of Callophyllis spp 2

kilograms/meter^2
Cancer_spp

Biomass of Cancer spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Caprellidae_spp

Biomass of Caprellidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Caryophyllia_Caryophyllia_alaskensis

Biomass of Caryophyllia Caryophyllia alaskensis

kilograms/meter^2
Ceramaster_arcticus

Biomass of Ceramaster arcticus

kilograms/meter^2
Chlamys_rubida

Biomass of Chlamys rubida

kilograms/meter^2
Chondracanthus_exasperatus

Biomass of Chondracanthus exasperatus

kilograms/meter^2
Cirripedia_spp

Biomass of Cirripedia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Cirrulicarpus_ruprechtianus

Biomass of Cirrulicarpus ruprechtianus

kilograms/meter^2
Clathromorphum_spp

Biomass of Clathromorphum spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Codium_setchellii

Biomass of Codium setchellii

kilograms/meter^2
Colus_spp

Biomass of Colus spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Constantinea_rosa_marina

Biomass of Constantinea rosa marina

kilograms/meter^2
Corallina_spp

Biomass of Corallina spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Crangonidae_spp

Biomass of Crangonidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Crepidula_spp

Biomass of Crepidula spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Crossaster_papposus

Biomass of Crossaster papposus

kilograms/meter^2
Cryptochiton_stelleri

Biomass of Cryptochiton stelleri

kilograms/meter^2
Cryptolithodes_sitchensis

Biomass of Cryptolithodes sitchensis

kilograms/meter^2
Cryptolithodes_typicus

Biomass of Cryptolithodes typicus

kilograms/meter^2
Cryptonatica_spp

Biomass of Cryptonatica spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Cucumaria_spp

Biomass of Cucumaria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Cumathamnion_decipiens

Biomass of Cumathamnion decipiens

kilograms/meter^2
Cymathaere_triplicata

Biomass of Cymathaere triplicata

kilograms/meter^2
Demospongiae_spp

Biomass of Demospongiae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Dendrophylliidae_spp

Biomass of Dendrophylliidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Derbesia_marina

Biomass of Derbesia marina

kilograms/meter^2
Dermaturus_mandtii

Biomass of Dermaturus mandtii

kilograms/meter^2
Desmarestia_aculeata

Biomass of Desmarestia aculeata

kilograms/meter^2
Desmarestia_ligulata

Biomass of Desmarestia ligulata

kilograms/meter^2
Desmarestia_viridis

Biomass of Desmarestia viridis

kilograms/meter^2
Diaulula_sandiegensis

Biomass of Diaulula sandiegensis

kilograms/meter^2
Didemnidae_spp

Biomass of Didemnidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Diodora_aspera

Biomass of Diodora aspera

kilograms/meter^2
Distaplia_spp

Biomass of Distaplia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Doridoidea_spp

Biomass of Doridoidea spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Elassochirus_gilli

Biomass of Elassochirus gilli

kilograms/meter^2
Errantia_spp

Biomass of Errantia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Eualaria_fistulosa

Biomass of Eualaria fistulosa

kilograms/meter^2
Eudistylia_vancouveri

Biomass of Eudistylia vancouveri

kilograms/meter^2
Eunoe_spp

Biomass of Eunoe spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Euphrosine_multibranchiata

Biomass of Euphrosine multibranchiata

kilograms/meter^2
Euthora_cristata

Biomass of Euthora cristata

kilograms/meter^2
Evasterias_retifera

Biomass of Evasterias retifera

kilograms/meter^2
Evasterias_spp

Biomass of Evasterias spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Flabellina_trophina

Biomass of Flabellina trophina

kilograms/meter^2
Florideophyceae_spp

Biomass of Florideophyceae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Flustrellidra_corniculata

Biomass of Flustrellidra corniculata

kilograms/meter^2
Fusitriton_oregonensis

Biomass of Fusitriton oregonensis

kilograms/meter^2
Gastropoda_spp

Biomass of Gastropoda spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Gersemia_spp

Biomass of Gersemia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Glebocarcinus_oregonensis

Biomass of Glebocarcinus oregonensis

kilograms/meter^2
Halichondria_spp

Biomass of Halichondria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Haliclona_spp

Biomass of Haliclona spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Halocynthia_aurantium

Biomass of Halocynthia aurantium

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_elachys

Biomass of Henricia elachys

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_gemma

Biomass of Henricia gemma

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_insignis

Biomass of Henricia insignis

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_iodinea

Biomass of Henricia iodinea

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_lineata

Biomass of Henricia lineata

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_oculata

Biomass of Henricia oculata

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_rhytisma

Biomass of Henricia rhytisma

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_sanguinolenta

Biomass of Henricia sanguinolenta

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_spp

Biomass of Henricia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_tumida

Biomass of Henricia tumida

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_uluudax

Biomass of Henricia uluudax

kilograms/meter^2
Henricia_vermilion

Biomass of Henricia vermilion

kilograms/meter^2
Heptacarpus_brevirostris

Biomass of Heptacarpus brevirostris

kilograms/meter^2
Hexagrammos_spp

Biomass of Hexagrammos spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Hiatella_arctica

Biomass of Hiatella arctica

kilograms/meter^2
Hippasteria_phrygiana_aleutica

Biomass of Hippasteria phrygiana aleutica

kilograms/meter^2
Hommersandia_maximicarpa

Biomass of Hommersandia maximicarpa

kilograms/meter^2
Hydrozoa_spp

Biomass of Hydrozoa spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Hymenena_ruthenica

Biomass of Hymenena ruthenica

kilograms/meter^2
Irtugovia_pacifica

Biomass of Irtugovia pacifica

kilograms/meter^2
Ischnochiton_spp

Biomass of Ischnochiton spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Isopoda_spp

Biomass of Isopoda spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Kallymeniopsis_spp

Biomass of Kallymeniopsis spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Katharina_tunicata

Biomass of Katharina tunicata

kilograms/meter^2
Lacuna_spp

Biomass of Lacuna spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Laingia_aleutica

Biomass of Laingia aleutica

kilograms/meter^2
Laminaria_longipes

Biomass of Laminaria longipes

kilograms/meter^2
Laminaria_setchellii

Biomass of Laminaria setchellii

kilograms/meter^2
Laminaria_spp

Biomass of Laminaria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Laminaria_yezoensis

Biomass of Laminaria yezoensis

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_alaskensis

Biomass of Leptasterias alaskensis

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_aleutica

Biomass of Leptasterias aleutica

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_arctica

Biomass of Leptasterias arctica

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_asteira

Biomass of Leptasterias asteira

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_camtschatica

Biomass of Leptasterias camtschatica

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_derbeki

Biomass of Leptasterias derbeki

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_hexactis

Biomass of Leptasterias hexactis

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_hylodes

Biomass of Leptasterias hylodes

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_leptodoma

Biomass of Leptasterias leptodoma

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_ochotensis

Biomass of Leptasterias ochotensis

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_spp

Biomass of Leptasterias spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_stolacantha

Biomass of Leptasterias stolacantha

kilograms/meter^2
Leptasterias_tatei

Biomass of Leptasterias tatei

kilograms/meter^2
Lethasterias_nanimensis

Biomass of Lethasterias nanimensis

kilograms/meter^2
Leucandra_heathi

Biomass of Leucandra heathi

kilograms/meter^2
Leucilla_nuttingi

Biomass of Leucilla nuttingi

kilograms/meter^2
Leukoma_staminea

Biomass of Leukoma staminea

kilograms/meter^2
Limneria_spp

Biomass of Limneria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Lithodidae_spp

Biomass of Lithodidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Littorina_spp

Biomass of Littorina spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Lottia_instabilis

Biomass of Lottia instabilis

kilograms/meter^2
Lottia_pelta

Biomass of Lottia pelta

kilograms/meter^2
Lottia_persona

Biomass of Lottia persona

kilograms/meter^2
Lottia_scutum

Biomass of Lottia scutum

kilograms/meter^2
Margarites_spp

Biomass of Margarites spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Mastocarpus_papillatus

Biomass of Mastocarpus papillatus

kilograms/meter^2
Mazzaella_spp

Biomass of Mazzaella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Membranoptera_spinulosa

Biomass of Membranoptera spinulosa

kilograms/meter^2
Metridium_dianthus

Biomass of Metridium dianthus

kilograms/meter^2
Metridium_farcimen

Biomass of Metridium farcimen

kilograms/meter^2
Metridium_spp

Biomass of Metridium spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Microporella_borealis

Biomass of Microporella borealis

kilograms/meter^2
Microporina_spp

Biomass of Microporina spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Mikamiella_ruprechtiana

Biomass of Mikamiella ruprechtiana

kilograms/meter^2
Modiolus_modiolus

Biomass of Modiolus modiolus

kilograms/meter^2
Mopalia_ciliata

Biomass of Mopalia ciliata

kilograms/meter^2
Musculus_discors

Biomass of Musculus discors

kilograms/meter^2
Musculus_niger

Biomass of Musculus niger

kilograms/meter^2
Musculus_spp

Biomass of Musculus spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Myxilla_spp

Biomass of Myxilla spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Nematoda_spp

Biomass of Nematoda spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Nemertea_spp

Biomass of Nemertea spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Neoptilota_asplenioides

Biomass of Neoptilota asplenioides

kilograms/meter^2
Neptunea_spp

Biomass of Neptunea spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Nereididae_spp

Biomass of Nereididae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Nienburgia_spp

Biomass of Nienburgia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Nucella_canaliculata

Biomass of Nucella canaliculata

kilograms/meter^2
Octocorallia_spp

Biomass of Octocorallia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Odonthalia_spp

Biomass of Odonthalia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Odontohenricia_violacea

Biomass of Odontohenricia violacea

kilograms/meter^2
Oedignathus_inermis

Biomass of Oedignathus inermis

kilograms/meter^2
Oenopota_spp

Biomass of Oenopota spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Ophiopholis_spp

Biomass of Ophiopholis spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Ophiura_sarsii

Biomass of Ophiura sarsii

kilograms/meter^2
Opuntiella_spp

Biomass of Opuntiella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Oregonia_gracilis

Biomass of Oregonia gracilis

kilograms/meter^2
Orthasterias_koehleri

Biomass of Orthasterias koehleri

kilograms/meter^2
Paguridae_spp

Biomass of Paguridae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pagurus_beringanus

Biomass of Pagurus beringanus

kilograms/meter^2
Pagurus_brandti

Biomass of Pagurus brandti

kilograms/meter^2
Pagurus_dalli

Biomass of Pagurus dalli

kilograms/meter^2
Palmaria_hecatensis

Biomass of Palmaria hecatensis

kilograms/meter^2
Palmaria_spp

Biomass of Palmaria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Palmeria_spp

Biomass of Palmeria spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pandalidae_spp

Biomass of Pandalidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pantoneura_juergensii

Biomass of Pantoneura juergensii

kilograms/meter^2
Peltodoris_nobilis

Biomass of Peltodoris nobilis

kilograms/meter^2
Phascolosomatidae_spp

Biomass of Phascolosomatidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Phyllolithodes_papillosus

Biomass of Phyllolithodes papillosus

kilograms/meter^2
Plakina_tanaga

Biomass of Plakina tanaga

kilograms/meter^2
Platyhelminthes_spp

Biomass of Platyhelminthes spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pleuroblepharidella_spp

Biomass of Pleuroblepharidella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pododesmus_macrochisma

Biomass of Pododesmus macrochisma

kilograms/meter^2
Polychaeta_spp

Biomass of Polychaeta spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Polymastia_spp

Biomass of Polymastia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Polyneura_latissima

Biomass of Polyneura latissima

kilograms/meter^2
Polynoidae_spp

Biomass of Polynoidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Polyplacophora_spp

Biomass of Polyplacophora spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Polysiphonia_pacifica

Biomass of Polysiphonia pacifica

kilograms/meter^2
Porifera_spp

Biomass of Porifera spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Porphyra_spp

Biomass of Porphyra spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pteraster_militaris

Biomass of Pteraster militaris

kilograms/meter^2
Pteraster_tesselatus

Biomass of Pteraster tesselatus

kilograms/meter^2
Pterosiphonia_hamata

Biomass of Pterosiphonia hamata

kilograms/meter^2
Ptilota_serrata

Biomass of Ptilota serrata

kilograms/meter^2
Pugettia_spp

Biomass of Pugettia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pycnogonida_spp

Biomass of Pycnogonida spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Pycnopodia_helianthoides

Biomass of Pycnopodia helianthoides

kilograms/meter^2
Pyropia_spp

Biomass of Pyropia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Rostanga_pulchra

Biomass of Rostanga pulchra

kilograms/meter^2
Sabellidae_spp

Biomass of Sabellidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Saccharina_dentigera

Biomass of Saccharina dentigera

kilograms/meter^2
Saccharina_spp

Biomass of Saccharina spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Scagelia_spp

Biomass of Scagelia spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Schizymenia_pacifica

Biomass of Schizymenia pacifica

kilograms/meter^2
Serpulidae_spp

Biomass of Serpulidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Sipunculidea_spp

Biomass of Sipunculidea spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Solariella_spp

Biomass of Solariella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Solaster_endeca

Biomass of Solaster endeca

kilograms/meter^2
Solaster_stimpsoni

Biomass of Solaster stimpsoni

kilograms/meter^2
Sparlingia_pertusa

Biomass of Sparlingia pertusa

kilograms/meter^2
Staurozoa_spp

Biomass of Staurozoa spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Stephanasterias_albula

Biomass of Stephanasterias albula

kilograms/meter^2
Strongylocentrotus_spp

Biomass of Strongylocentrotus spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Styela_rustica

Biomass of Styela rustica

kilograms/meter^2
Styela_stalked

Biomass of Styela stalked

kilograms/meter^2
Sunamphitoe_spp

Biomass of Sunamphitoe spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Sycon_compactum

Biomass of Sycon compactum

kilograms/meter^2
Tachyrhynchus_sp

Biomass of Tachyrhynchus sp.

kilograms/meter^2
Tokidadendron_bullata

Biomass of Tokidadendron bullata

kilograms/meter^2
Tonicella_lineata

Biomass of Tonicella lineata

kilograms/meter^2
Tonicella_spp

Biomass of Tonicella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Trichotropis_spp

Biomass of Trichotropis spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Triopha_catalinae

Biomass of Triopha catalinae

kilograms/meter^2
Trochidae_spp

Biomass of Trochidae spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Turbonilla_spp

Biomass of Turbonilla spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Turnerella_spp

Biomass of Turnerella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Ulva_lactuca

Biomass of Ulva lactuca

kilograms/meter^2
Urticina_spp

Biomass of Urticina spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Velutina_spp

Biomass of Velutina spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Volutopsius_spp

Biomass of Volutopsius spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Vulcanella_spp

Biomass of Vulcanella spp.

kilograms/meter^2
Walking_anemone

Biomass of Walking anemone

kilograms/meter^2
Zinovaea_acanthocarpa

Biomass of Zinovaea acanthocarpa

kilograms/meter^2


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Instruments

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
hanging spring scales
Generic Instrument Name
scale or balance
Dataset-specific Description
Used to weigh specimens for biomass determination.
Generic Instrument Description
Devices that determine the mass or weight of a sample.


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Deployments

OC1606A

Website
Platform
R/V Oceanus
Start Date
2016-06-17
End Date
2016-07-02
Description
Project: Changes in Ecosystem Production and Benthic Biodiversity

OC1707A

Website
Platform
R/V Oceanus
Start Date
2017-07-18
End Date
2017-07-25
Description
Project: Changes in Ecosystem Production and Benthic Biodiversity


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Project Information

Collaborative Research: Changes in ecosystem production and benthic biodiversity following the widespread loss of an ecosystem engineer (Kelp Forest Ecosystem Engineer Loss)


Coverage: Aleutian Islands Alaska (Attu Island to Unalaska)


NSF abstract:

In many ecosystems the presence of a single dominant species can modify the physical conditions of the environment and alter patterns of biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and primary production. Losses of these "ecosystem engineers" can have profound impacts to how ecosystems function. Coastal kelps provide excellent examples of organisms whose structure modifies the physical characteristics of their habitats (light, nutrients, water motion) and supports enhanced biodiversity. The kelp forests in the coastal waters of the Aleutian Archipelago have suffered large-scale declines over the past several decades. This project will examine how these losses impact patterns of ecosystem production and biodiversity using a combination of techniques ranging from in situ benthic chambers and shipboard incubations to remote sensing using satellite imagery. The results will provide an understanding of how such events may impact this and other ecosystems. This project will support graduate students and will introduce the public to the Aleutian ecosystems in a series of videos. The investigators will also work with a San Diego high school teacher to integrate project findings into classroom activities, and they expect to involve a teacher in their field program.

The investigators will ask two highly integrated questions: 1) How do the widespread losses of kelp forests impact benthic productivity across the Aleutian Archipelago? 2) How do the widespread losses of kelp forests impact benthic biodiversity and community structure across the archipelago? To address these, the investigators will estimate changes to productivity at ten islands where they have historic data on seaweed community composition and estimates of kelp canopy cover. They will use in situ benthic chambers placed in both kelp forests and urchin barrens to measure plot-scale patterns of net ecosystem productivity (NEP), and shipboard incubations to examine net primary productivity (NPP) for the dominant macroalgae. Data for individual species rates of NPP will be scaled by their biomass and combined with in situ plot-scale benthic chamber experiments of whole communities to estimate NEP at the islands visited. These estimates will be scaled up to calculate NEP across the entire archipelago by first extrapolating results from the study sites to entire islands, and then across the archipelago. They will also estimate broad-scale patterns in production by characterizing water column irradiances across the archipelago and modeling NPP using species-level relationships between irradiance and photosynthesis. Coupling these with estimates of water column irradiance and community respiration will allow modeling of NEP across this region. Benthic biodiversity will be assessed using diver surveys and shipboard benthic trawls. Following these activities, satellite remote sensing of the kelp canopies dating back to the 1980s and the investigators' own historical data on benthic macroalgal abundances at these and other islands will be used to estimate the temporal and spatial patterns of change across the archipelago.

For more information see:

Project blog: http://sdsukelp.weebly.com/blog
Project website: http://www.uaf.edu/cfos/research/projects/collaborative-research--/



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Funding

Funding SourceAward
NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE)
NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE)

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