Observations of the biological communities at Bolsa Chica artificial reef

Bolsa Chica Artificial Reef (BCAR) was constructed inNovember 1986 with 10,400 tons of concrete rubble andeight concrete and steel barges. Prior to any additionalaugmentation of BCAR, the u.s. Army Corps of Engineersand the California Coastal Commission required theCalifornia Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) to surveythe bioloqical communities on and around BCAR.In April 1992, qualitative surveys of the biologicalcommunities were conducted on one of the eight modules atBCAR and at a nearby sand-only site. One of the modules,Module D, located in 90 feet of water (MLLW), wassurveyed for fish, macroinvertebrates, and turf communityorganisms (small plants and sessile animals). Twelvespecies of fish were observed, including kelp bass(Paralabrax clathratus) and barred sand bass (P.nebulifer). Eight macroinvertebrate species wereobserved, rock scallops (Crassedoma giganteum) being themost abundant. The turf community was comprised ofthirteen invertebrate taxa, among which erect ectoprocts(Bugula spp.) were the most numerous. Two species offoliose red algae (Rhodymenia pacifica and Anisocladellapacifica) were also observed.The reef has reached an advanced stage of successionaldevelopment with fish and invertebrate communitiesdiverse and well established. However, due,.to its depthand the turbidity of surrounding waters, this reef is notlikely to ever support a diverse algal community.The diversity and abundance of fish andmacroinvertebrates were, as to be expected, much lower inthe nearby sand-only site. Only two species of fish andseven macroinvertebrate species were observed. Of these,only the sea pen, Stylatula elongata, was common.Overall, when compared to nearby sand-only habitats,Bolsa Chica Artificial Reef appears to contributesubstantially to the local biological productivity. Inaddition, the concrete rubble used in BCAR' s constructionappears to be performing as well as the quarry rock usedin all of CDFG's experimental reefs. (Document pdf contains 22 pages)

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Bedford, D., Tarpley, J., Palmer-Zwahlen, M.
Format:	monograph biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	California Department of Fish and Game 1992
Subjects:	Management, Fisheries, Biology,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/1834/19301
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