Rocky Intertidal Ecological Monitoring in Channel Islands National Park, California, 1982-83
Richards DV. 1987. Rocky Intertidal Ecological Monitoring in Channel Islands National Park, California, 1982-83. Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary natural science reports. CHIS-86-002. National Park Service. Ventura, CA
Rocky intertidal communities were monitored at 11 locations on four islands in Channel Islands National Park. Eight of these monitoring sites were new in 1985. High and mid-intertidal zones are monitored each spring and fall using permanent photoquadrats. Permanent black abalone plots were established in 1985 to monitor these economically important species. Photoquadrat data show seasonal fluctuations in acorn barnacles, rockweed and turfweed. Data since 1982 from Anacapa Island show a major decline in turfweed cover after the 1983 El Niqo. Populations have not returned to pre-El Niqo levels. Disturbance from an accidental barge grounding on Santa Barbara Island is providing an opportunity to document natural response to impact in two intertidal zones. Damage is still apparent more than three years after experimental trampling and scraping quadrats at Anacapa Island in mussel and rockweed zones. Observations at South Frenchy's Cove on Anacapa Island, the most heavily visited intertidal area in the park, show damage to the lower algal zones. Animals such as large anemones and abalone are rare or absent at the site. Recommendations are made for further monitoring and ways to reduce visitor impact.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Richards, Daniel
- Date of Issue
- 1987-07
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CHIS , MEDN
- Keywords
- Anacapa Island, Animal Studies, Black Abalone (Haliotis cracherodii), CA, Channel Islands National Park, Disturbance, ecological surveys, El Nino, Environmental Monitoring, Human Impact, Intertidal ecology, intertidal fauna, Photo Points, Plots, Rocky Intertidal Habitat Monitor, Rocky Intertidal Zone, San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara Island, Santa Rosa Island, Seasonality