Spatial Sciences Institute
Oh Kelp,Where Art Thou?
Stephen Daire, Alicia Evans, Trey Lee, Benecia Zahrani, 03/27/2017-05/03/2017
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• Washington Department of Natural Resources standardized kelp forest mapping
• Mayne Island Conservancy in British Colombia built upon this methodology, setting collection criteria based on kelp density
Introduction
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Kelp Significance• An indicator for ocean
habitat health• Population decline is
indicative of increasing water temperature, pollution, and overfishing
• Provides resting and feeding grounds for marine life
• Reduces beach erosion and oxygenates water
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Objective
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1. Map kelp forests within the -5m bathymetric contour of Big Fisherman’s Cove
2. Determine feasibility of mapping kelp beds using the Mayne Island Conservancy methodology
3. Collection to establish a spatial and temporal baseline
4. Determine site suitability for kelp beds, while noting present invasive species
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Combined Data
Spatial Analysis
Data Collection
Concept and
Hypothesis Formulation
Conclusion
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Project ProposalSignificance of Study
Preliminary Site Survey
Research Habitat Requirements
Locate Online DatabasesGPS Data Acquisition
Analysis of Areas with Kelp Presence
Based on Temperature and Bathymetry
Flow Chart & Data Dictionary
Mapping in ArcMapPoster Adobe InDesign
Kelp Data Type Value
Temperature Surface and bottom
Numeric in Celsius
Tide level High or Low Coded Value (Y/N)
Depth Bathymetry Numeric in Meters
Substrate Rock or sand Qualitative Text
Condition Living or Dead Coded Value (Y/N)
Invasive Presence Coded Value (Y/N)
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Study Area
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Suitability Analysis• Identified suitable habitat based
on temperature, depth, and substrate for:
-Macrocystis pyrifera (Giant Kelp) 6-20m depth5-20°CRock substrate
-Sargassum horneri 3-15m depth10-25°CRock and Sand
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Suitability Map
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Data Capture Methodology Pt. 1• Appropriate data collection parameters based on: the
length of the vessel (2.5m) and diver (1.5m) with a 1m buffer in between the two for diver safety
• Points: individual organisms
• Lines: areas narrower than 5m, with the diver guiding the vessel down the midline of the biological density
• Polygons: secluded patches larger than an area of 5m2
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Data Capture Methodology Pt. 2• Bathymetric depth
recorded at low tide using an anchored 30m tape with dive computer attached
• Collection completed within the WGS 1984, and analyzed within ArcMap using UTM Zone 11N
• Surface and bottom temperature measured with
Shearwater Petrel dive computer
• Surface line transects by snorkeling and kayaking
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Equipment
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Diver 1. Snorkel,
Mask, Fins2. Dry/Wet Suit3. Anchored
30m tape with dive computer attached
4. Buoy markers5. Whistle
Surface Support1. 1-2 person
Sea Kayaks, Paddles
2. Trimble Juno 3B (TerraSync)
3. Personal Floatation Device
4. Dry Bag5. Laptops
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Expected Results• Due to fluctuations in
sea temperature our expectations are
1. Invasive seagrass encroaching on kelp habitat
2. Kelp recruitment is moving into colder and deeper waters
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Survey Results
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Statistics
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DiscussionWhat worked
-Initial Site Survey: confirm study area viability, validity of tools and methods What Did Not
-Undefined default variables.
-GPS Accuracy: Receiver issues. Caused omega, phi, and kappa angles
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-Due to study area over water: Backscatter, Overhead obstruction-Variable Ocean Conditions:
-Stability issues in 1-man kayak.
-Inability to maintain position for point collection.
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Opportunities
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Lessons Learned-Do not use a default value
definition due to complications, it is better to use radial buttons
-Include comments on non-numeric attributes
-Ensure GPS setting integrity across all units prior to field work
-More conditional information: For Kelp health than living or dead
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Conclusion
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• Observed a relationship between kelp colonization, temperature, and sunlight exposure
• Due to the prevalence of kelp on the South West face of the cove, which is shaded by a cliff for the entire day
• Kelp within the study area is colonizing in shallow depths and shady areas to compete with Sargassum horneri
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Future Research• Shaded Shoreline and Sun
exposure as temperature variables.
• Research on Membranipora membranacea (Lacy Crust Bryozoan): population genetics and density decline.
• Survey Man-Made surfaces as artificial reefs.
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Video
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Produced by Trey Lee. Footage by Alicia Evans, Benecia Zahrani, Carina Ucciferi, Stephen Frochen, Stephen A. Daire “Oh Kelp Where Art Thou?” https://youtu.be/7TYwq_AY2Wc
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References1. Grotefend, R. Holzer, R. Klemens, K. Ruhl, S. (2015) Spatial Distribution of Eisenia Arborea
(Southern Sea Palm) in Big Fisherman’s Cove. Spatial Sciences Institute.2. Freiwald, J. Wisniewski, C. Wehrenbreg, M. Shuman, C. & Dawson, C. 2015. Reef Check
California Instruction Manual: A Guide to Rocky Reef Monitoring. 8th Etd. Reef Check Foundation.
3. Mayne Island Conservancy Society. 2010 The Mayne Island Conservancy in British Colombia established guidelines and a methodology to map kelp forest habitats, for monitoring. http://www.conservancyonmayne.com/docs/kelp%20mapping%20methodsDartf1-2.pdf
4. Produced by Trey Lee. Footage by Alicia Evans, Benecia Zahrani, Carina Ucciferi, Stephen Frochen, Stephen A. Daire “Oh Kelp Where Art Thou?” https://youtu.be/7TYwq_AY2Wc
5. Marine Region GIS Downloads. Accessed March 1, 2017. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/GIS/Downloads.
6. Sea Surface Temperature Contour Charts. Accessed March 1, 2017. http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/sst/contour/californ.c.gif.
7. California Cities Point Shapefile. Accessed March 1, 2017. http://52.26.186.219/internships/useit/content/california-cities-point-shapefile.
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References1. Data Library: California Seafloor Mapping Project: Catalina Island. Accessed March 1, 2017.
http://seafloor.otterlabs.org/SFMLwebDATA_CSMP_Catalina.htm.2. "Giant kelp." Giant kelp, Kelp Forest, Plants & algae, Macrocystis pyrifera at the Monterey
Bay Aquarium. Accessed March 01, 2017. https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animal-guide/plants-and-algae/giant-kelp.
3. Marks, L. Sargassum horneri Information Sheet. PDF. Santa Cruz: University of California, Santa Cruz, August 27, 2015.
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