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MBC Aquatic Sciences has been conducting studies to monitor the health of giant kelp forests in southern California on behalf of the Region Nine Kelp Survey Consortium (RNKSC) since 1983 and the Central Region Kelp Survey Consortium (CRKSC) since 2003. The RNKSC and CRKSC programs combined include all coastal kelp beds from the Ventura River to the USA/Mexico border, representing approximately 81% of the southern California mainland coast (220 of the 270 miles). Quarterly aerial surveys are conducted to determine the areal extent of the surface canopy of each kelp bed, utilizing a method developed by the late Dr. Wheeler North of the California Institute of Technology in 1967.
The Region Nine Kelp Survey Consortium (RNKSC) was formed in 1982 to address regulations adopted by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Central Region Kelp Survey Consortium (CRKSC) was formed in 2003 to address similar requirements formulated by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
MBC Aquatic Sciences has been conducting studies to monitor the health of giant kelp forests in southern California on behalf of the Region Nine Kelp Survey Consortium (RNKSC) since 1983 and the Central Region Kelp Survey Consortium (CRKSC) since 2003. The RNKSC and CRKSC programs combined include all coastal kelp beds from the Ventura River to the USA/Mexico border, representing approximately 81% of the southern California mainland coast (220 of the 270 miles). Quarterly aerial surveys are conducted to determine the areal extent of the surface canopy of each kelp bed, utilizing a method developed by the late Dr. Wheeler North of the California Institute of Technology in 1967.
The Region Nine Kelp Survey Consortium (RNKSC) was formed in 1982 to address regulations adopted by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. The Central Region Kelp Survey Consortium (CRKSC) was formed in 2003 to address similar requirements formulated by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Central Region:
• Total coverage increased from 4.9 to 7.9 km2
• 23 beds increased in size
• 1 bed decreased in size
The total amount of kelp in the Central Region in 2018 was the highest amount observed in over 50 years (see Figure 1).
*2019 data for the Central Region will be available by the end of 2020
Region Nine:
• Total kelp canopy covered approximately 5.2 km2
(53% decrease compared to 2018)
• All kelp beds decreased in size
• 10 kelp beds disappeared
