Status and Trends of Ecological Health and Human use of the Cabrillo National Monument Rocky Intertidal Zone (1990-2005)
Becker BJ. 2006. Status and Trends of Ecological Health and Human use of the Cabrillo National Monument Rocky Intertidal Zone (1990-2005). Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/CABR/NRTR - 2006-03. National Park Service. Pacific West Region, Seattle, Washington
Cabrillo National Monument (CABR), a unit of the National Park Service (NPS) within the city of San Diego, California, administers approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) of rocky shoreline. Within this area are among the largest and most diverse rocky intertidal habitats in San Diego County, and arguably the best protected, publicly accessible tidepools on the southern California mainland. In order to gain information to conserve these communities unimpaired for future generations, the NPS has been monitoring the tidepools through the Cabrillo Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Program (CRIMP) since 1990. This report documents the activities and results of CRIMP from 1990 to 2005. Thirteen key species or species groups are monitored twice per year as part of CRIMP. Information about the size distribution (i.e. “size-frequency” data) is collected for owl limpets (Lottia gigantea) in circular plots. Photographed rectangular quadrats are used to determined percent cover of thatched and acorn barnacles (Tetraclita rubescens, Balanus glandula/Chthamalus spp.), mussels (Mytilus californianus), rockweed (Silvetia compressa, formerly Pelvetia fastigiata), and goose barnacles (Pollicipes polymerus). Point-intercept transects are used to determine the percent cover of red algal turf, surfgrass (Phyllospadix spp.), boa kelp (Egregia menziesii), Sargassum weed (Sargassum muticum), and anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima/sola). Presence or absence of two rare species, black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) and ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) is determined using timed searches. Additionally, birds and visitors are counted during a number of daytime low tides throughout the fall, winter and spring. The study area has been divided into zones that represent different amounts of human usage: Zone I receives high visitation, Zone II receives intermediate visitation, and Zone III received the least visitation and has been closed to visitors since 1996. The study design is repeated in the three zones for maximum comparability.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Becker, Bonnie
- Date of Issue
- 2006-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CABR
- Keywords
- abalone, barnacles, Kelp, Mussels, rockweed, sea stars, Surfgrass