Kelp Forests
A Marine Ecosystem
This is where kelp forests grow predominantly. Photo provided by: The Marine Diaries
According to Oceana, kelp forests are distributed all around the globe in temperate to polar latitudes. However, they powerfully grow along the Pacific Coast of North America. Kelp forests thrive in cool shallow waters, making their home close to rocky shores and beaches.
Key Characteristics of a Kelp Forest:
Kelp: Kelp, a type of algae, attaches to the seafloor and sprouts up until it reaches the surface, where sunlight can be retrieved for energy and food. Kelp grows in concentrated groupings, and some species of kelp can grow up to 150 feet in height. In fact, kelp can grow 18 inches in one day if the environmental conditions are favorable. According to the National Marine Sanctuaries, the kelp is crucial since it acts as shelter, protection, and food for the many organisms living in this underwater forest. According to Monterey Bay Aquarium, gray whales, sea lions, and seals use the kelp blades or leaf-like structures to hide from predators and shelter their young. Certain fish even utilize the kelp forest as a nursery for their offspring. Amazingly, sea otters wrap themselves around the kelp to keep themselves from drifting away while sleeping. It is clear that kelp is utilized by most if not all living organisms in this type of ecosystem.
Diversity of Organisms: A kelp forest is one of the most diverse ocean communities in the entire sea. According to Monterey Bay Aquarium, some species include giant kelp, sea otters, red octopuses, sunflower stars, bat stars, jewel top snails, decorator crabs, giant kelpfish, rockfish, leopard sharks, acid seaweed, orange puffball sponges, sea urchins, and many more. This high biodiversity makes the kelp forest a resilient, stable, and complex ecosystem. All of these organisms rely on each other for the survival and maintenance of the kelp forest.
Sea Otters and Sea Stars: A kelp forest is regulated by these two specific organisms, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sea urchins rely on kelp for food, but if they form into large herds, they can nearly clear an entire kelp forest. This is known as an "urchin barren." However, sea otters and sea stars eat sea urchins, which helps keep the sea urchin population under control. Thus, the kelp forest is able to thrive. In turn, sea otters are able to use the kelp for food and protection. Kelp and sea otters, specifically, are the heart of what makes a kelp forest blossoming. This is why inter-relationships within a kelp forest keep the food web stable and flowing.
Environmental factors: Seasonal storms play a key role in the appearance and stability of kelp forests. Winter storms, in particular, bring in strong winds and waves that can rip out kelp from their bottoms off the seafloor. According to Oceana, warmer than usual summers and changes in currents can result in less nutrients, which weakens the kelp. Yet, when spring rolls in, the kelp growing season flourishes. During spring, sunlight is able to stretch farther down to the bottom of the kelp forest. This leads to an abundance in kelp! Even though the kelp forest experiences a range of environmental pressures, it is still able to survive due to the high biodiversity previously mentioned.
An otter wrapped in kelp so it won't drift away while sleeping. Photo provided by: Michael Yang Photography
Fish are using the dense kelp forest to hide from predators. Photo provided by: Penn State
This is an "urchin barren," where sea urchins have overgrazed a kelp forest. Photo provided by: Oregon Marine Reserves
Human Activity:
According to the National Marine Sanctuaries, kelp forests house many "commercially crucial" species used by fisheries including kelp bass and black rockfish. As a matter of fact, giant kelp is used by humans as a binding agent for items like ice cream, toothpaste, lotion, ranch dressing, and many more. Therefore, humans rely on kelp forests more than they realize. Yet, kelp harvesting can negatively impact the kelp forest ecosystem, especially since so many species rely on the kelp for food, protection, and shelter.
However, since kelp forests are located along coast lines, humans play a big role in the health and preservation of these kelp forests. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, humans can help kelp forests by reducing runoff and using less plastic. You can do this by making sure your vehicle isn't leaking oil onto surface streets, and keeping your driveway/sidewalks clear of waste and fertilizers. Rain can easily wash these harmful chemicals into storm drains, which eventually lead to the ocean. As for plastic, try to minimize the amount of plastic you use and dispose of it properly when you do use it. Marine life can easily mistake plastic for food, such as their kelp.
Lastly, humans can positively impact kelp forest ecosystems by supporting sea otter conservation efforts. Sea otters play an essential role in kelp forest ecosystems because they keep the sea urchin population manageable. Thus, kelp is able to form the beautiful forests we are so captivated by.
Fun Fact:
According to the Pacific Beach Coalition, kelp doesn't have roots. Rather, kelp anchors like a rock to the seafloor!
References:
Monterey Bay Aquarium. (n.d.). Kelp Forest. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/habitats/kelp-forest
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. (n.d.). Kelp Forest. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/visit/ecosystems/kelpdesc.html
Oceana. (2022, July 14). Kelp Forest. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://oceana.org/marine-life/kelp-forest/
Pacific Beach Coalition. (2020, March 22). Kelp Fun Facts. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://www.pacificbeachcoalition.org/kelp-fun-fact/
Images:
Image of "urchin barren." https://oregonmarinereserves.com/content/uploads/2019/10/ODFW_SeaUrchin_PortOrford_2019_website.jpg
Image of sea otter wrapped in seaweed. https://www.ottersdontflush.com/uploads/7/1/5/3/7153795/582354_orig.jpg
Image of fish hiding in dense kelp forest. https://mbc.ucsd.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/08/KELP-1500x999.jpg
Image of map showcasing where kelp forests are located globally.