Scott Creek

photo banner of different intertidal species

Scott Creek Long-Term trends

Scott Creek Biodiversity Survey findings

Scott Creek is located in the Central Coast region of California, within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This site is located within the Greyhound Rock State Marine Conservation Area. This site receives moderate visitation by fisherman, kite surfers, and tidepoolers. This moderately sloping site consists of moderately uneven terrain, containing few cracks and folds.

overview of research site

Scott Creek is dominated by a mixture of consolidated mudstone and sandy beach, and the area surrounding the site is comprised of a mixture of consolidated mudstone and sandy beach. The primary coastal orientation of this site is west.

Long-Term Monitoring Surveys at Scott Creek were established in 1999, and are done by University of California Santa Cruz. Long-Term MARINe surveys currently target the following species: Chthamalus/Balanus (Acorn Barnacles), Mytilus (California Mussel), Fucus (Northern Rockweed), Silvetia (Golden Rockweed), Endocladia (Turfweed), Phyllospadix (Surfgrass), and Pisaster (Ochre Star). In addition, motile invertebrates, barnacle recruitment, mussel size structure, and water temperature are monitored at this site. For more information see the Long-Term trends at this site.

closeup of research site

Biodiversity Surveys were done in 2000, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2020, and 2024. The Biodiversity Survey grid encompasses one section that is approximately 30 meters (along shore) x 20 meters (seaward). For more information see the Biodiversity Survey findings at this site.

For more information about Scott Creek , please contact Darren Fong (darren_fong@nps.gov).

Last modified: Jul 21, 2025