| description:
|
A survey of the subtidal physical and biological features of the VEHEAP Harbours area (Victoria and Esquimalt Harbour, Gorge and Portage Inlet and Esquimalt Lagoon) with the intent of mapping the general distribution and position of physical and biological features for both inventory and harbour management purposes. The distribution of the canopy forming kelp Nereocystis leukeana or bull kelp on the seabed based on visual classification of each second of the video imagery as well as subsequent dive survey verification. Nereocystis distribution is mapped in one of two cover categories (sparse to low cover = trace to 25% cover and moderate to dense cover = 25 to 100% cover). Nereocystis grows on rocky substrate (boulders, and bedrock) at depths generally less than 10m in more exposed areas of the survey area. In summer Nereocystis blades form a canopy at the water surface but die back in winter and are only evident by the holdfast and truncated stalk. |