Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve

07 Nov, 11 AM - 10 Nov, 07 AM

Project Description: This project examines the rates of recovery of 4 intertidal species (Chthamalus, Endocladia, Silvetia and Mytilus) as a function of disturbance size and recruitment of new individuals. This work will complement the longterm monitoring project funded by the Minerals Management Service (the Shoreline Inventory = SI), and is also funded by MMS. It will directly augment the existing data. This project will take place at three sites: One North of Pt. Conception (Pt. Sierra Nevada), one near to Pt. Conception (Stairs), and one South of Pt. Conception (Alegria). The MMS monitoring project (SI) has shown that these sites experience different significantly different levels of recruitment and thus could recover differently from a disturbance. The four species chosen differ in their life history characteristics, namely in larval dispersal distance and lifespan. At each site, 8 experimental recovery plots will be created in each of the four species assemblages. These plots will range from very small (8 cm x 12 cm) to large (50 cm x 75 cm). Three control plots of the largest size will also be established in each species assemblage. The recovery plots will be cleared and then monitored every 3 months. Five recruitment surfaces targeted towards each species will be amongst the recovery plots. Additionally, natural recruitment will be measured adjacent to each recruitment surface to account for the differences in substrate between sites. These recruitment surfaces and plots will be sampled and exchanged monthly. Use of Rancho Marino Reserve: Because the site closest to Rancho Marino (Pt. Sierra Nevada) is not on the Reserve, use of the Reserve will only be requested when an overnight stay is necessary. This will most likely occur every three months when the recovery plots are monitored. Exchanging of the recruitment plates will probably not require any overnight stays, although there's always the chance that it may. Additionally, the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse could be used instead if the Reserve is unavailable. When overnight accommodations at the Reserve are requested, we usually come equipped with tents but will use the facilities in the RV or Trailer if they are available.

Visit #1880 @Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 1517 | Research

University of California Santa Cruz - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

graduate_student - University of California, Santa Cruz

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Graduate Student Nov 7 - 10, 2003 (4 days)
Group of 2 Research Assistant (non-student/faculty/postdoc) Nov 7 - 10, 2003 (4 days)
Tish Conway-Cranos Nov 7 - 10, 2003 (4 days)

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