The Bull Kelp (NER) Bioband

Zone

Bio-band Name

Database Label

Colour

Indicator Species*

Physical Description

Exposure
[Description]

Associate Species*

C

Bull Kelp

NER

Dark brown

Nereocystis luetkeana

Distinctive canopy-forming kelp with many long strap-like blades growing from a single floating bulb atop a long stipe. Can form an extensive canopy in nearshore habitats, usually further offshore than Alaria fistulosa and Macrocystis. Often indicates higher current areas if observed at lower wave exposures.

SP-VE

Alaria fistulosa**

Macrocystis integrifolia

The long blades, floating bulb and long stipe diagnostic of Bull Kelp (NER) are seen here as a continuous band in the subtidal zone of an islet in the Cruz Islands (north of San Fernando Island).

Bull Kelp (NER) is easily identified by the floating bulb and long stipe of each plant, as seen here on Cat Island north of Duke Island.

SE06_MM_23221.jpg

SE06_MM_10044.jpg

Bioarea SECR

Bioarea SECR

* Indicator Species: The dominant species in a bioband and usually what the bioband is named for (eg. Barnacles = Barnacle bioband or BAR).
  Associated Species: Species commonly found within a given bioband. These are based on known life histories of these species and ground observations. For more detailed information on associated species and regional differences see the Shore Station database (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/shorestation/default.htm).

** ALF Dragon Kelp was not observed in the project area included in this summary report, but does occur further north in other bioareas in Southeast Alaska.