This vector dataset represents the mosaicked multi-spectral imagery, targeting giant kelp beds along the NAVAIR Point Mugu Sea Range.Areas of kelp beds which were cut off due to inadequate overlap in aeral surveys: (a) Santa Rosa Island, outer section of Bed 115 between Sandy Point and Brockway Point (b) San Nicolas Island, outer section of Bed 108 between 119°30'29.647"W 33°16'20.798"N and 119°28'59.181"W 33°15'50.252"N. The user is cautioned to look for areas which appear truncated.

DISCLAIMER:

The user is cautioned against making direct comparisons between the various kelp surveys for the following reasons: 1) Timing of the survey is important, particularly with respect to growing season, ocean conditions, storms, and harvest levels preceding the dates of survey. Seasonal variablity may account for differences in surveys, which may not reflect a change in the bed's extent, productivity, or harvest level. 2) Statistial significance in change of area should be evaluated. To do this, a variance parameter is needed, which is obtained by repeated measurements. 3) Survey methods may not be consistent. Some method of calibration between the methods needs to be performed in order to insure a change of area is not due to survey instrumentation and not misinterpreted as a biological change. 4) An area where no kelp data are present may represent an area devoid of kelp, or may represent an area where kelp was not detected due to poor photo quality, missing photo coverage, or other issues with data collection and processing. Photo coverage is extensive for the state, but the user is advised to consult the abstract and supplementary infromation for each year to determine whether photographs were acquired for an area of interest.