SUBLITTORAL ECOLOGY OF KELP BEDS OF THE OPEN COAST AREA NEAR CARMEL, CALIFORNIA

Abstract

Thirty aqualung dives have been made over a period of 2 years in Nereocystis kelp beds near Carmel, in central California. An annotated list includes 248 spp. of invertebrate animals and algae. Dominant algae are: the red coralline Calliarthron cheilosporioides in the immediate subtidal zone; Ptery-gophora californica, a kelp producing a subsurface canopy at depths of 20 to 50 feet; and Nereocystis luetkeana, which produces a dense annual surface canopy at depth of 20 to 50 feet. Heavy predation on the urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus by the California sea otter is postulated.