Sea otters: the guardians of California's kelp forests
New research from the Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals a striking link between the recovery of Southern sea otters and the condition of kelp forests along the West Coast. According to a study published in the journal PLOS Climate, the recovery of sea otter populations in central California coincided Read More...
Drone footage shows growth in California kelp forests
Kelp is a key pillar of marine ecosystems and a huge carbon sink, but along the California coast, populations have been dwindling in recent years. Overpopulation of sea urchins, which feast on kelp, as well as rising sea temperatures, have devastated these marine forests, but new drone images from Read More...
Kelp forests are the silent coastal community protectors we need
Coral reef degradation has been a central topic in discussions about the immediate effects of a warming climate, but another coastal ecosystem is also feeling the pressures of warming waters. Kelp forests are integral to coastal health but have been declining dramatically in recent years. In areas Read More...
How sushi could help stop the sea urchin invasion
If you have to spend the evening alone, eating sushi can be a wonderful remedy to make you feel better. But that’s not the only thing sushi is good for. At a time where sea urchins are rapidly multiplying and destroying vast swaths of kelp forests, sushi could provide the perfect answer to this Read More...