Abundance and dispersal of drifting kelp Macrocystis pyrifera rafts in theSouthern California Bight

Drifting rafts of Macrocystis pyrifera are formed when attached plants are separated from the substrate. These kelp rafts have the potential to disper se fauna among isolated kelp forests; however, the success of this dispersa l mechanism will be influenced by the abundance and the dispersal paths of the rafts. The abundance of kelp rafts in the Southern California Eight (SC B) was estimated from the loss of attached plants, and by direct observatio n of rafts at sea. Loss of attached adult plants was highest in winter (23% ) and lowest in fall (8%) at 7 sites within 2 coastal kelp beds over the pe riod of 1988 to 1998. Raft density at sea differed among 4 cruises in the p eriod from 1995 to 1997, and ranged from 0.78 to 6.96 km(-2) (average 3.02 km(-2)). In the SCB these densities correspond to an instantaneous abundanc e of between 39 000 and 348 000 drifting rafts. The potential raft dispersa l paths and the frequency of exchanges among kelp forests were evaluated us ing satellite-tracked drifters. Southward dispersal away from the coast was observed in all months of the year. Dispersal north, both along the coast and away from the coast, was most likely between July and January (summer-w inter), while dispersal south along the coast was likely between January an d August (late winter and early spring). A definition of a 'successful conn ection event' was adopted, based on a drifter starting less than 10 km and ending less than 5 km from the coast. Under this definition, 45% of all dri fter releases were successful. Analysis of the temporal pattern and drift t rajectories of the mainland-mainland successes revealed that Pt. Conception was always a boundary for north to south connections, but was open to sout h to north connections between fall and winter (October to January). Drifte rs released and remaining north or south of Pt. Conception were successful throughout the year. Connections were not made more than 300 km from a rele ase region, under any criteria for success. The results of this study indic ate that while rafts may drift long distances, successful connection of kel p forests through kelp rafts is limited to shorter distances.