1. Benthic/Invertebrate Training Algae Swath Johnson

3. Macrocystis pyrifera

4. Count all plants larger than 1 meter high When counting stipes of Macrocystis plants, begin counting at 1 meter above bottom (usually waist high if standing)

5. Nereocystis luetkeana Efird

6. Nereocystis luetkeana Must be at or above 30 cm in height to count Long spindly stipe ending with large pneumatocyst at the top of water

7. Cystoseira osmundacea >6cm Efird

8. Cystoseira osmundacea Become reproductive with long chain bladders during summer season Must be at least 6 cm in diameter to be counted In order to get a proper count, it is necessary to grab each plant and find its base to distinguish an individual from a group of plants

9. Pterygophera californica Efird Photo from Gotshall

10. Pterygophera californica Has very sturdy woody stipe Frond contains long, wide midrib with several blades sticking out on either side Count all Pterygophera plants above 30cm high

11. Eisenia arborea Photo from Gotshall

12. Eisenia arborea Has very thick, flexible stipe which spits into two at the top Several blades sprout out to each side of the Y-shaped stipe and gives alga a bushy appearance Count all Eisenia plants above 30cm high

13. Laminaria setchellii Guiry Photo from Gotshall

14. Laminaria setchellii Has very slender, flexible stipe Frond is long, wide and usually tears in several places causing it to look like a palm Count all Laminaria plants above 30cm high

15. Costaria costata

16. Large blade (up to 2m) with very small stipe This alga is characterized by its five ribs; two are located on one side of the blade, three on the other

17. Laminaria farlowii Ragsac

18. Laminaria farlowii Has an extremely short stipe with long wide blade attached Blade must be 10 cm wide for plant to be counted

19. Alaria marginata

20. Usually found in the low intertidal or very shallow subtidal Short stipe with very long blade, puckered around a pronounced midrib

21. Pleurophycus gardneri

22. Seen frequently in more Southern sites such as Big Sur and Cambria Like Laminaria setchellii, but with large, lighter colored midrib up to 4 cm wide Blade is wavy with slight puckering at midrib

23. Undaria pinnatifida

24. When reproductive, it has a very large and distinct sporophyll at base of plant Easily spread invasive species; do not pull up, but mark its location and notify leader of dive team

25. Conclusion Any member of the benthic/invert team may be asked to perform algae counts It is extremely important for every person on the invert team to be proficient on algae swath species and protocol