See how sea otters maintain the balance of kelp-forest ecosystems by consuming sea urchins
See how sea otters maintain the balance of kelp-forest ecosystems by consuming sea urchins
Learn about the sea otter (Enhydra lutris), a keystone species in the kelp forest ecosystems found along parts of North America's Pacific coast. A major part of its role in the kelp forest is to keep sea urchin populations in check.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Sea otters are known as aquatic, playful creatures that spend much of their time floating on their backs. They also serve a vital role in maintaining the health of their ecosystem.
Sea otters live along the Pacific coast of North America. This region is lined with kelp forests, which are like underwater rainforests. They are composed of large masses of seaweed that grow upward toward the ocean surface. Kelp forests have several tiers and a canopy, providing food and shelter for the animals of the coastline ecosystem.
Sea urchins--spiny creatures found on the ocean floor--eat kelp at its roots. If a great number of sea urchins feed on a kelp bed, the seaweed will die and float away. The fish and shellfish that depend on the kelp forest will lose their habitat, and their populations will decline greatly.
The presence of sea otters can protect a kelp forest. They eat large amounts of sea urchins, which keeps the creature's numbers in check and prevents the destruction of the kelp forest. Sea otters are a keystone species of the coastline ecosystem. They have an unusually large effect on their community, and without them the whole system would collapse.
Sea otters live along the Pacific coast of North America. This region is lined with kelp forests, which are like underwater rainforests. They are composed of large masses of seaweed that grow upward toward the ocean surface. Kelp forests have several tiers and a canopy, providing food and shelter for the animals of the coastline ecosystem.
Sea urchins--spiny creatures found on the ocean floor--eat kelp at its roots. If a great number of sea urchins feed on a kelp bed, the seaweed will die and float away. The fish and shellfish that depend on the kelp forest will lose their habitat, and their populations will decline greatly.
The presence of sea otters can protect a kelp forest. They eat large amounts of sea urchins, which keeps the creature's numbers in check and prevents the destruction of the kelp forest. Sea otters are a keystone species of the coastline ecosystem. They have an unusually large effect on their community, and without them the whole system would collapse.