This was a presentation submitted for the Spatial Data Acquisition class' one week Catalina Field component as a part of USC's Master's Program in GIS. Fellow presenters were Robert Grotefend, Richard Holzer, and Kevin Klemens.

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Mapping Spatial Distribution of
Eisenia arborea (Southern Sea Palm)
in Big Fisherman’s Cove
Robert Grotefend, Richard Holzer, Kevin Klemens, Stephen Ruhl

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Background
• The Eisenia arborea (Southern Sea Palm) is a native
species the Northern and Eastern Pacific
• Commonly found from the mid-tidal areas stretching to
the subtidal areas
• Known as an indicator species for environmental stress
• Their presence indicates a healthy, nutrient rich
ecosystem

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• To identify spatial distribution
of E. arborea in Big
Fisherman’s Cove on Catalina
Island
• Collect environmental and
morphology data to estimate
recruitment as a measure of
population health
Research Intent

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The Marine Protected Area
(MPA) in Big Fisherman’s
Cove is estimated to be
healthy based on nutrient
availability and adult
recruitment of the E.
arborea
Hypothesis

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Motivation
• To better understand the spatial distribution of
the E. arborea throughout Big Fisherman’s Cove,
located in the Marine Protected Area (MPA)
• To establish a baseline for future comparison to
other parts of Catalina Island as well as the entire
species range

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Previous Studies
• Parada, Gloria M., Rafael Riosmena-Rodriguez, Enrique A. Martinez, and
Gustavo Hernandez-Carmona. 2012. Morphological variability of intertidal
eisenia arborea (laminariales, ochrophyta) at punta eugenia, baja california sur.
Algae 27, (2): 109-109
• Matson, Paul G., and Matthew S. Edwards. 2007. Effects of ocean temperature
on the southern range limits of two understory kelps, pterygophora californica
and eisenia arborea, at multiple life-stages. Marine Biology 151, (5): 1941-1949
• de Bettignies, Thibaut, Thomas Wernberg, and Paul S. Lavery. 2013. Size, not
morphology, determines hydrodynamic performance of a kelp during peak
flow. Marine Biology 160, (4): 843-851

7. Mapping Southern Sea Palm | 7SECTION TITLE | 2Mapping Kelp | 6

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• Trimble Juno 3B GPS Datalogger
• YSI Pro 2030 Temperature Meter
• Marker Buoy with anchor and 5m of line
• Nitrate Test Kit
• Underwater Camera
• Transect
Equipment

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Sea
Palm
Anchor
Line
Buoy
Juno 3B GPS
Kayak
Temperature
Probe
1. Visually locate E. arborea
individual
2. Mark position using marker buoy
with anchor and record depth
3. Move kayak over buoy and record
position
4. Drop temperature probe to base
of individual and record reading
5. Surveyor dives down and records
stalk length using transect
6. Surveyor dives down and retrieves
water sample for nitrate test
Collection Methodology

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• Position with Juno 3B
• Depth (measuring length of
line to buoy)
• Stalk length
• Water temperature at base of
stalk
• Nitrate availability
Attribute Collection

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Data Dictionary
Item (type) Attribute Name Type (range)
Kelp (Point) Temp (C) Number (15-35)
Nitrates (mg/L) Number (0-500)
Stalk Length (cm) Number (0-100)
Depth (m) Number (0-10)
Comments Text

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Results
• Collected data for 244 specimens over the course
of two days
• Noticed no significant correlations in relation to
stalk length, temperature, and depth
• When analyzed spatially, noticed correlations
between depth and spatial distribution

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• Good recruitment
based on high stddev
in stalk length
• No correlation
between stalk length
and any other
variables
Results
Scatter Plot Matrix
Stalk_Leng x Depth__m_
605040302010
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
Temp__C_
Depth__m_
Stalk_Leng
Stalk_Leng

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Results
Depth (m)
MEAN: 2.017623
STDDEV: 0.754751
Stalk Length (cm)
MEAN: 30.79918
STDDEV: 10.999843
Temperature (C)
MEAN: 22.905738
STDDEV: 0.517845

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Results

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Conclusions
• Good recruitment exists in Big Fisherman’s Cove
for the E. arborea species
• Spatial distribution is dependent on depth
• Temperature had no effect on spatial distribution
or stalk length

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Future Research
• With a baseline and methodology established,
additional areas around Catalina island, outside the
MPA, could be studied to determine if there are
significant population differences in non-protected
areas
• First point in a longitudinal study for Big Fisherman’s
Cove
• Study substrate as possible explanation for why we did
not find individuals throughout entire expected range

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Lessons Learned
• Laser Rangefinder
– Not needed/impractical for data collection
• Scientific Equipment Reliability
– We had issues with the oxygen and pressure readings and
were unable to take any readings
• Recommend having calibrated and functioning device for future work
– Nitrate test kit was either out of date or out of range
• Recommend having new test kit for future work
• GIS data analysis limitations
– Overall depth analysis was limited due to incomplete depth
coverage in study area

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Comments