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    • This is a Non-Federal dataset covered by different Terms of Use than Data.gov.

    Characterization of Sandy Beaches and Adjacent Surf Zones, California North Coast MPA Baseline Study, 2014 to 2015

    Metadata Updated: July 24, 2025

    We combined taxonomically detailed surveys of macroinvertebrates and birds with targeted sampling of regionally important focal taxa including surf zone fishes, kelp and sand crabs; physical and biological metrics of the habitat; and activities of people on the beaches to develop an integrated understanding of the important ecosystem processes structuring northern California beaches. Our baseline study program consisted of the following components:

    Nine monthly surveys (from September 2014 through May 2015) of birds, macrophyte wrack (detached marine vegetation such as seaweeds, surfgrasses and seagrasses that are deposited on the beach), human use and physical characteristics of 12 sandy beaches and their adjacent surf zones (6 MPA and 6 reference sites);

    A one-time, comprehensive survey of intertidal invertebrate biodiversity during summer 2014 of the 12 focal sandy beaches;

    A comprehensive baseline survey of redtail surfperch (Amphistichus rhodoterus), including diet analysis, at nine sandy beaches (4 MPA, 5 reference sites) over two years;

    Targeted monthly surveys of sand crabs (Emerita analoga) done concurrently with redtail surfperch surveys on three long beaches for three months; and

    Sampling of night smelt (Spirinchus starksi) spawning aggregations from nine beaches (5 MPA, 4 reference) during spring and summer over two years.

    Access & Use Information

    Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. Non-Federal: This dataset is covered by different Terms of Use than Data.gov. License: See this page for license information.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Created Date September 8, 2021
    Metadata Updated Date July 24, 2025

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from State of California

    Other Data Resources

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Created Date September 8, 2021
    Metadata Updated Date July 24, 2025
    Publisher California Ocean Protection Council
    Maintainer
    Identifier 99fd97c0-cc27-4b52-86c0-e8864ca94823
    Data First Published 2018-02-06T22:24:23.067518
    Data Last Modified 2018-02-06T23:20:42.511500
    Category Natural Resources, Water
    Public Access Level public
    Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
    Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
    Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
    Harvest Object Id 8cfc4b38-9fd8-465d-940d-475760334d95
    Harvest Source Id 3ba8a0c1-5dc2-4897-940f-81922d3cf8bc
    Harvest Source Title State of California
    License http://www.opendefinition.org/licenses/cc-by
    Source Datajson Identifier True
    Source Hash 5b3f11d2609b5becc790886e2d0ec9d63ed540ff34d56798cabf42beac20813c
    Source Schema Version 1.1

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