Sea Stars' Role in Kelp Forest Conservation and Recovery
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.