[Transcript]
California’s Underwater Kelp Forests
Giant kelp is a kind of seaweed. Now, kelp can stretch more than a hundred feet from the rocky seafloor up to the ocean surface. And just like a forest on land, the kelp shelters an incredible variety of life.
A Hidden World of Marine Life
Rockfish and perch weave through the fonds, finding food and protection. Down at the bottom, abalone and sea urchin graze, slowly working away at the kelp roots. Crabs and sea stars patrol the ground, while sea lions chase fish through the shifting light.
Why Kelp Matters Beyond Wildlife
And kelp forests are important for more than just wildlife. They also help protect our coastline by absorbing wave energy, which then shields beaches from erosion. Plus, kelp grows insanely fast, over a foot a day.
That incredible growth rate means that kelp pulls in a lot of carbon from the ocean. Like, a lot. We're talking roughly 20 times more per acre than forests on land.
The Crisis Facing California’s Kelp
But California's kelp forests are in trouble. Rising sea temperatures have put stress on these ecosystems. And an even bigger problem is an overabundance of sea urchins.
Remember, before I said that they graze on the kelp? Well, the disappearance of natural predators, like sea otters and sunflower sea stars, means that urchin numbers have exploded. And they're devouring the forests at an alarming rate. In the 21st century, California has lost about 96% of its kelp forests.
Restoring the Sequoias of the Sea
The good news is that the state is working hard to restore balance. Countless volunteers and organizations have removed millions of urchins. And that seems to be helping.
Where the urchins have been removed, the kelp forests are starting to recover. So, the next time you see a patch of kelp bobbing at the surface, picture what's below. A valuable ally against climate change.
And a living forest. The sequoias of the sea.
