PISCOInvertebrate and Algae

Sampling Methods

Training 2014

2014 PISCO Training Overview forInvertebrates and Algae:

• 2014 PISCO Kelp Forest Survey Modules

• PISCO Annual Survey Design

• Swath Protocol

• UPC Protocol

PISCO Kelp Forest Survey Modules

1. The PISCO annual survey overview- history and purpose of annual

surveys

2. Fish sampling methods

3. Fish identifications

4. Benthic invertebrate and algae sampling methods

5. Benthic invertebrate and algae identifications

2. Marine protected areas and “paired” comparison sites

a) Lover’s Point SMR, Ed Ricketts SMCA, Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA

b) Point Lobos SMR, Pescadero Point, Soberanes

When

2014: July through September

Where1. Different oceanographic regimes

a) Lower upwelling – Southern Monterey Bay

b) Higher upwelling – Point Lobos, Carmel Bay

Annual Survey Design

Pacific Grove Marine Gardens SMCA

100m buffer from reserve boundary

Asilomar SMR

Existing PISCO long term monitoring unit

New randomly selected monitoring unit

’89 ’99 ’02 Composite Kelp

2005 Kelp

Benthic transects at 5, 12.5 and 20m

Fish transects at 5, 10, 15 and 20m

Example schematic diagram of stratified random permanent sampling design.

Benthic transects at 5, 12.5 and 20 m

Fish transects at 5, 10, 15 and 20 m

Schematic diagram of depth-stratified sampling design

……

Time

Site

Area

Zone(5 m, 12.5 m, 20 m)

1999 20??

1 2 253

1 2

S D

Transects:2

……

Annual Surveys – Benthic Sampling Design

M

Annual Surveys: Spatial Sampling Design

1. Spatial (depth) stratification:

Shallow (S) = 5 m, Mid (M) = 12.5 m, Deep (D) = 20 m

designed to assure that all depth zones are representatively sampled for description of invert and algae assemblages.

2. Also to assure representative sampling from outer to inner edges of the reef!

3. If reef depths are constrained (e.g., 5-10 m), then sampling is distributed from outer to inner edges of reef including comparable depths (when possible) to those above (e.g., 5 and 10 m), plus additional depth strata to assure coverage from inner to outer edges of the reef.

4. Narrow reefs (inner to outer or across depth strata) are sampled with increased within-stratum replication (i.e. more than 3 transects per stratum per area (to approximate the usual 24 transects per site).

Swaths should extend one meter on either side of the transect line.

Swath Surveys

Maintain reasonable speed (~20 minutes per transect) and only count invertebrates 2.5 cm or larger in diameter.

Top view of transect

Transect line

1 m

eter

1 m

eter

End-on view of transect

Transect line

Swaths extend one meter on either side of the transect line as if draped over the substrate—remember, you want to cover 60 square meters of surface area

Swath Surveys

Imagined 1 m extensionon both sides of thetransect tape

SUB-SAMPLING in each 10 m segmentOnce 30 individuals of a species are counted, indicate how many meters you have sampled within that 10 m segment (NOT THE METER MARK!) and discontinue counting until you reach the next 10 m segment.

For example, if you count 34 Styela from the 20 m mark to the 17.5 m mark, then you note 34 @ 2.5 m. Be sure to count all individuals in the rectangle you sample, even if it is slightly over 30, since the goal is an estimate of density within a rectangular area.

Use a flashlight at all times when surveying for swath invertebrates to make sure organisms in cracks and crevices

are accounted for

Algae are also counted using Swath techniques.Count all individuals 30 cm or larger, except Macrocystis and

Nereocystis (>1 m) and Cystoseira (>6 cm diameter).

>6cm

1m

Efird

Data are collected every 1 m along the 30 m transect tape

UPC SurveysUniform Point Contact

Transect tapes are marked at 1 m increments

Top view of transect

Transect line

1 meter

UPC SurveysUniform Point Contact

Remember not to bias your data! Use an imaginary long, sharp, steel rod (or lightning bolt)

to place your point.

Transect line

If your point falls on a mobile invertebrate or epibiont, ignore it and make sure you are recording the organism underneath it that is directly attached to the substrate!

Lonhart/MBNMS

Colonial tunicateon a solitary tunicate

Each 10 m segment contains 10 data points for each of three categories (substrate, relief, point):

Substrate

Relief

Point

Superlayer(special category)

Substrate type

Barlotti

The SUPERLAYER category counts things that have an impact on cover, but are not counted on the data sheet. Examples are

drift algae and juvenile laminariales.

Figurski Figurski

Superlayer – The special category

After marking the presence of the superlayer, move the algae and record the primary substrate holder.

You do not need 30 points in this category!

Relief is the absolute difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point within a 1 m by 0.5 m rectangle

Top view of transect

Transect line

1 m

ete

r

0.5 meter

Relief is determined within non-overlapping rectangles (1 m by 0.5 m) as depicted below

0.5 m

Top view of transect

Transect line

The rectangle is centered on the UPC point. Each rectangle extends 0.5 m on both sides of the tape, and 0.25 m in front of

and behind the point along the tape.

1 m

ete

r

0 1 2

The rectangle for relief does NOT conform to the surface. Imagine it is a rectangular column along the plane of the tape and extending infinitely into the earth and up to the sky.

Top view of transect

Transect line

Within this rectangle you must look for the highest and lowest points, then determine the vertical distance between the two.

0 1 2

End-on view of transects

Transect line

Relief is binned into four categories: 0-0.1 m, 0.1-1 m, 1-2 m, and >2 m. The red line shown below is the imaginary rectangle (0.5 m along the tape in total, 1 m perpendicular to the tape in total) that is level relative to the earth’s surface and extends into rock and out into water as necessary.

Benthic Transect Strategy

For Benthic surveys, the UPC diver and Swath diver work along a single transect tape.

Benthic Transect Strategy

The UPC diver swims the transect tape out the entire 30 meters along the depth contour, without taking data.

The Swath diver begins taking data along the meter tape.

Benthic Transect Strategy

The UPC diver secures the meter tape at the end and begins taking data in the reverse direction along the transect.

Benthic Transect Strategy

The Swath diver completes the 30 m invertebrate transect and begins to

swim in the reverse direction taking algae swath data.

Benthic Transect Strategy

Once the UPC diver reaches the end of the 30 m transect, collect algae swath data while swimming back towards the Swath diver. These data can be added onto the UPC sheet in empty rows, but be sure to transcribe them

onto the Swath divers data sheet immediately after the end of the dive.

Benthic Transect Strategy

Once they meet along the meter tape, one diver returns to the end and reels up the tape. Unlike fish divers, benthic divers begin the next transect by

swimming in the opposite direction of the first transect.

Safety Considerations

1. Dive profiles- approved by DSO- well within no-decompression limits- maximum depth 20 m- 3-5 min safety stops mandatory on dives >10 m

2. Air consumption- safety over data collection (500 psi @ surface)

3. Buddy system- members of a dive team are always in contact via the transect line

4. Sea conditions- diving will only be conducted in good conditions

Dive Safety Brief1. Dive log - sign out and in

2. Dive procedures - ascent rate 1 ft per 2 sec - deep-shallow - maintain dive team

3. On board communications: cell phone, VHF Ch 16 (Paragon), & SPOT system

4. First Aid & Oxygen - Shore and vessel

5. Evacuation plan: this is developed for each site and must be covered prior to the dive

Locations of CHOMP and PG chamber

Locations of LML, the SC harbor and Dominican Hospital