Pacific Rocky Intertidal Monitoring: Trends and Synthesis
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Mussel Shoals
Click here for Long-Term trends
Click here for Biodiversity Survey findings
Mussel Shoals is located in the South Coast region of California. This moderately sloping site consists of moderately uneven terrain, containing few cracks and folds.
Mussel Shoals is dominated by a mixture of consolidated sandstone bedrock, riprap, boulder fields, and sandy beach, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of boulder fields and sandy beach at this site. The primary coastal orientation of this site is south.
Long-Term Monitoring Surveys at Mussel Shoals were established in 1994, and are done by University of California Los Angeles. Long-Term MARINe surveys currently target the following species and/or areas: Anthopleura (Anemones), Chthamalus/Balanus (Acorn Barnacles), Mytilus (California Mussel), Rock (Above Barnacles), Phyllospadix (Surfgrass), and Pisaster (Ochre Star). In addition, motile invertebrates, barnacle recruitment, and mussel size structure are monitored at this site. Click here to view Long-Term trends at this site.
Biodiversity Surveys were done by University of California Santa Cruz in 2001. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses one section that is approximately 30 meters (along shore) x 20 meters (seaward). Click here to view Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.
For more information about Mussel Shoals, please contact Rich Ambrose.