The importance of kelp
Sea otter, Vancouver Aquarium (Photo by Wikimedia Commons, Stan Shebs)
Sea otters are a keystone species. They play an important role in the health and stability of near shore marine ecosystems. They eat sea urchins and other invertebrates that eat vast quantities of giant kelp.
In the absence of sea otters, grazing animals can annihilate kelp forests and consequently the wide diversity of animals that depend upon kelp habitat for survival. Providing habitat is one of many services kelp offers to the marine ecosystem.
In this video produced by the Hakai Institute, Vancouver Island University marine biologist Jane Watson eloquently explains why kelp is so important.
About the Author
Grant Callegari works for the Hakai Institute, a scientific research organization that studies the coastal ecology in British Columbia.
