When sea otters were reintroduced along the coastlines of islands in Southern California and British Columbia, researchers saw kelp forests return to areas that were destroyed by sea urchins. But how ...

Both areas were mostly ‘urchin barrens’ – sites where sea urchins had overgrazed in the absence of sea otters – when the ...

By keeping sea urchin populations in check, sea otters help maintain healthy kelp forests, which provide habitat for countless marine species and play a role in carbon sequestration, helping to ...

To save kelp forests, scientists try breeding sea stars To save kelp forests, scientists try breeding sea stars Massive marine die-off in Russia could threaten endangered sea otters, other ...

Urchins however are readily consumed by sea otters (keystone species), and by keeping urchin numbers low, otters assure that the kelp forest community remains intact. Bottom-up forces influence ...

PORTLAND, Ore. — Sea otters have been missing from the Oregon coast for more than a century, and local non-profit Elakha Alliance is trying to bring them back. The marine mammals, which help ...

Back in the late 1800s, sea otters were hunted for their thick pelts to near extinction. And with them gone, urchin numbers rose, destroying many forests. Today, thanks to protection, sea otter ...

After missing from the Oregon coast for more than a century, sea otters are getting a step closer ... kelp forests and controlling invasive sea urchin populations.

While working on remote Alaskan islands, he found where sea otters were absent, sea urchin populations mushroomed, overtaking kelp forests. He concluded the small mammal was integral to ...

Warming sea water has triggered an ... But even without these in place the Otter Force One can still be used by human divers to improve their urchin-gathering efficiency.

While working on remote Alaskan islands, he found where sea otters were absent, sea urchin populations mushroomed, overtaking kelp forests. He concluded the small mammal was integral to ...