area of each strip was non-destructively sampled in 0.5 x 0.5 m quadrats; 

 the percent coverage of all organisms and remaining free space was 

 subjectively determined and recorded. An additional percentage was 

 given for the occurrence of 'understory' organisms, to give a more 

 accurate representation of species that are partially or totally obscured 

 by the canopy layer. 



Beginning in April 1979, additional experiments were conducted to 

 determine rates and patterns of recolonization following substratum 

 denudation. At four of the rocky shore stations (Giants Neck, Fox 

 Island-Exposed, Fox Island-Sheltered, and White Point), three strip 

 transects additional to those previously described were established. 

 After initial determinination of species composition and percentage of 

 substratum covered, each strip was scraped free of all attached algae 

 and invertebrates and burned with a Liquid Petroleum Gas torch. All 

 recolonization transects were sampled monthly in the same manner as 

 described for the undisturbed transects. To determine the effect that 

 time of year in which denuding occurred might have on recolonization, a 

 second experiment was established in September 1981, 30 months after the 

 spring denuding, when all recolonization strips at each station were 

 reburned. 



At each of the four recolonization stations, exclusion cage studies 

 were undertaken to determine the effects of grazing and predation on 

 recolonization rates and patterns. In April 1979, nine areas were 

 selected at each station, three areas in each of three tide zones (high, 

 mid, and low tidal levels). In each area, two 20 x 20 cm patches were 

 burned and cleared; one was covered with a stainless steel mesh cage, 

 the other was left as a control. Each month, the percent cover of 

 colonizing organisms was determined and recorded; additionally, counts 



