All articles tagged with #kelp forests
Scientists have identified bacteria Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of the decade-long epidemic that killed over 5 billion sea stars along the Pacific coast, leading to ecological impacts like the explosion of sea urchins and destruction of kelp forests, and opening avenues for potential recovery efforts.
Researchers have identified the bacteria Vibrio pectenicida as the cause of sea star wasting disease, which has decimated sea star populations along the West Coast, leading to ecological disruptions such as unchecked sea urchin populations and kelp forest decline.
Scientists have identified the cause of sea star wasting disease as a strain of Vibrio pectenicida, leading to potential recovery efforts for affected species and ecosystems, especially kelp forests, which are vital for marine biodiversity and coastal protection.
Scientists have discovered that sunflower sea stars could help restore damaged kelp forests by deterring sea urchins that overgraze these vital ecosystems, offering a natural solution to environmental degradation. Field experiments show that the presence of sea stars causes red sea urchins to avoid kelp, potentially aiding in ecosystem recovery, though further research is needed to confirm long-term effects and impact on purple sea urchins.
A study by UC Santa Cruz researchers found that sunflower sea stars deter red sea urchins from grazing on kelp, creating a 'landscape of fear' that could aid in kelp forest recovery, especially after sea star populations declined due to disease. The research suggests that reintroducing sea stars might be a less labor-intensive method to control urchin populations and restore kelp ecosystems, which are vital for marine biodiversity and the economy.
Kelp forests along the Gulf of Maine have declined significantly, leading to a shift in the local food web where fish now rely more on phytoplankton instead of kelp for energy, fundamentally altering ecosystem dynamics and highlighting the importance of kelp as a foundational species.
A new study published in the journal PLOS Climate reveals that the recovery of sea otter populations in California over the past century has played a crucial role in preventing widespread declines in kelp forests. The research, conducted by Monterey Bay Aquarium scientists, demonstrates that sea otters' presence has enhanced the resilience of kelp forests, particularly along the central coast, where their population growth compensated for kelp losses in other regions. The study underscores the importance of conservation efforts for sea otters and suggests their reintroduction to historical habitats as a potential nature-based solution for restoring kelp forests and their ecological benefits in California and beyond.
Sea urchins have wreaked havoc on California's kelp forests, destroying them over a span of seven years. A combination of a marine heatwave and the disappearance of their main predator, sunflower sea stars, allowed the sea urchin population to explode. These sea urchins have entered a zombie-like state, containing very little edible meat, and are now dormant, waiting for any kelp sprout to emerge so they can devour it before other urchins can. They are described as method actors performing "The Waste Land," and their destructive behavior has had a significant impact on the marine ecosystem.
Kelp forests, which hug a third of coastlines worldwide, have been found to have a significant commercial value, according to a study by researchers at the University of New South Wales. The study found that kelp forests provide food and homes for much of our coastal seafood, and are also used to fertilise crops, add to medicines and skincare, and produce oxygen. The economic value of kelp forest contribution to fisheries production averages $29,851 and 904 kilograms per hectare per year. Kelp forests also play a huge role in global nutrient cycles, removing carbon dioxide from their environment and producing oxygen in the process.