Sand iwas moved from San Elijo Estuary and deposited off coast of Cardiff as part of the San Elijo restoration project. To determine if this sand deposition will affect the rocky intertidal habitat off Cardiff reef, rocky intertidal organisms will be monitored over time at three sites: the impact site (Cardiff) and two control sites (Scripps Reef and Swami's). Sampling includes a modified biodiversity (UCSC methodology) sampling whereby a point contact method is used along 5 transects placed in the rocky intertidal zone. Here, percent cover of species will be determined. In addition, turf and sand depth will be measured along points on the transects. Motile invertebrates will be counted in plots randomly placed along transect lines. To quantify algal turf meiofauna, small samples of the red algal turf will be collected and taken back to the lab where all small invertebrates will be counted. Work is conducted by PIs at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton under direction of the Coastal Commission and funded by Merkel Associates. Preliminary sampling started in Spring 2017 with our likely last sampling to be in January 2023.

Approved