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In Alaskan kelp forest ecosystems, sea otters are the keystone species that mediates this trophic cascade. In Southern California, kelp forests persist without sea otters and the control of herbivorous urchins is instead mediated by a suite of predators including lobsters and large fishes, such as the California sheephead.
Giant kelp marine forests are diverse, complex and highly productive components and foundation species of cold-water rocky marine coastlines around the world. Giant kelp marine forests in Australia are typically found in temperate south eastern waters on rocky reefs where conditions are cool and reasonably nutrient rich. [4]
A potential threat that may arise is loss of habitat due to climate change and its resulting consequences such as ocean acidification and pollution, as well as destruction and/or massive die-offs of kelp forests. This poses a threat because this species depends on dense canopies of kelp for protection from predators and for reproduction.
Urchins have hurt both species, though giant kelp forests have fared better. Some believe the only way to restore kelp is to reduce the purple urchins, which can go dormant for years only to ...
Torrey pines are the United States' rarest pine species. [1] The islands also house many rare and endangered plants, including the island barberry, the island rushrose, and the Santa Cruz Island lace pod. Giant kelp forests surround the islands and act as a source of nutrition and protection for other animals. [2]
Ecological habitats found in the sanctuary include extensive kelp forests, rocky reefs, deep-water coral gardens, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, and wetlands, the latter serving as nursery grounds for numerous commercial fish species and important habitats for many threatened and endangered species. [4] [7] [8]
The sea stars are considered “functionally extinct” in California and Oregon.
Many species are sensitive to even the slightest changes in water temperature and unable to migrate to cooler waters. Accelerated by the 2014-16 El Niño event, which broke multiple warming records for the Pacific Ocean, temperature fluctuations have been largely responsible for the demise of kelp forests on the Great Southern Reef. [1]