The ratio of plant size and growth rate to holdfast size and growth rate are likely factors in establishing the outer boundary of the sand-dwelling kelp beds. Kelp plants along the coast will grow to depths of 70 feet or more in areas containing solid substrate, where sunlight penetration appears to be the limiting factor. Along adjacent sand bottom areas, however, the kelp plants seem to have a maximum depth range of about 50 feet. Beyond this depth it is likely the plants reach a critical size relative to the holding capability of the plants on sand. The amount of fines in the seafloor sediment may inhibit growth-center formation as well. The inner boundary of the sand-dwelling kelp beds is likely established at the depth and proximity to shore where shifting seafloor sediment occur. This depth is approximately 30 feet in Goleta Bay. Investigative Dives in Goleta Bay I performed survey dives within the zone once occupied by a sand-dwelling kelp bed in Goleta Bay in April, 2007. Using SCUBA with voice communication and dive sleds, we ‘Dive-Link’ were towed by a boat following lines of longitude, bisecting the zone from the outer to inner boundaries of the historical kelp bed. Link to Video Survey: A typical video survey along longitude 119° 49.836W, between the outer boundary (latitude 34° 24.278N) and inner boundary (latitude 34° 24.540N) can be viewed by going to the following link: One notable finding on dives performed in Goleta Bay over the years was the number of golf balls found on the seafloor. A likely source of the golf balls is from the Sandpiper golf course, which lies ~ 5.5 miles to the west. If an eddy current is indeed a common occurrence within the bay, it would explain the accumulation of golf balls, which were likely transported there from wind-generated current moving eastward along the coastline.
The ratio of plant size and growth rate to holdfast size and growth rate are likely factors in establishing the outer boundary of the sand-dwelling kelp beds. Kelp plants along the coast will grow to depths of 70 feet or more in areas containing solid substrate, where sunlight penetration appears to be the limiting factor. Along adjacent sand bottom areas, however, the kelp plants seem to have a maximum depth range of about 50 feet. Beyond this depth it is likely the plants reach a critical size relative to the holding capability of the plants on sand. The amount of fines in the seafloor sediment may inhibit growth-center formation as well. The inner boundary of the sand-dwelling kelp beds is likely established at the depth and proximity to shore where shifting seafloor sediment occur. This depth is approximately 30 feet in Goleta Bay. Investigative Dives in Goleta Bay I performed survey dives within the zone once occupied by a sand-dwelling kelp bed in Goleta Bay in April, 2007. Using SCUBA with ‘Dive-Link’ voice communication and dive sleds, we were towed by a boat following lines of longitude, bisecting the zone from the outer to inner boundaries of the historical kelp bed. Link to Video Survey: A typical video survey along longitude 119° 49.836W, between the outer boundary (latitude 34° 24.278N) and inner boundary (latitude 34° 24.540N) can be viewed by going to the following link: One notable finding on dives performed in Goleta Bay over the years was the number of golf balls found on the seafloor. A likely source of the golf balls is from the Sandpiper golf course, which lies ~ 5.5 miles to the west. If an eddy current is indeed a common occurrence within the bay, it would explain the accumulation of golf balls, which were likely transported there from wind-generated current moving eastward along the coastline.