| Summary: | This project established a biological inventory of intertidal and shallow subtidal communities for future monitoring purposes in the Gulf of Alaska. Core areas and years surveyed included Prince William Sound, Kachemak Bay, and Kodiak Island in 2003 and 2004. The data from these surveys are part of a pole-to-pole latitudinal biodiversity gradient of macroalgal rocky bottom communities, which is applying standardized protocols developed under the Census of Marine Life program. Georeferenced species occurrence data from this project have been added to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System database. The specific outcomes of this project include biodiversity species lists for each site and core area and various biodiversity analyses. A total of 242 invertebrate species/higher taxa groups and 237 macroalgal species/higher taxa groups were counted and/or weighed. Analyses of invertebrate and macroalgal groups showed that each core area and depth strata had unique descriptive genera/groups, however annual differences were not noted. Analyses also showed that intertidal communities differ in composition, biomass, and diversity than subtidal communities. Also, intertidal communities can not be used as an indicator for subtidal communities. These datasets are informative and should be used for current regional and global comparisons and future longterm monitoring programs. Publications: Konar, B. and K. Iken. 2005. Alaska Natural Geography In Shore Areas: An Initial Field Project for the Census of Marine Life. Exxon Valdex Oil Spill Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring and Research Project Final Report (Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring and Research Project 040666), Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat and Restoration Division, Anchorage, Alaska.
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