"Rising Sea Otter Populations Aid in Coastal Erosion Prevention"
The return of sea otters to a tidal estuary near Monterey, California has helped curb erosion by preying on striped shore crabs that damage marsh grass pickleweed, which holds the dirt in place. The otters' voracious appetites have slowed erosion to natural levels, as shown by a new study analyzing historic erosion rates dating back to the 1930s. This research provides clear evidence of the sea otters' impact on ecosystem stability and their role in preserving marshland habitats.