Armeet Sandhu - Kelp Forest Article Questions new
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Dec 6, 2023
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Armeet Sandhu
Questions regarding kelp forest articles- download this file
Read these articles on kelp forests (you can also read these articles in the Canvas module)-
-A Sea Urchin Army Is Mowing Down California's Kelp Forests -- But Why? By Amanda Heidt
https://www.kqed.org/science/1927312/a-sea-urchin-army-is-mowing-down-californias-kelp-
forests-but-why
-Sea stars could help protect kelp forests, new study finds, By Makenzie Elliot
https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/environment/2023/02/26/sea-stars-could-help-
protect-kelp-forests-new-study-shows/69936620007/
-Struggling Northwest kelp forests sending out an SOS. Help is coming, By Tom Banse
https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/06/struggling-northwest-kelp-forests-sending-out-an-sos-
help-is-coming/
Answer the following questions after you’ve read these articles:
1.
Describe the significance of a healthy kelp forest.
A healthy kelp forest is important because:
1. Biodiversity: Kelp forests provide a diverse and productive ecosystem, supporting a variety of
marine life such as fish, invertebrates, and algae.
2. Habitat: They serve as crucial habitat for many species, offering shelter and breeding grounds
for numerous marine organisms.
3. Carbon Sequestration: Kelp absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, helping to mitigate
climate change by sequestering carbon.
4. Economic Value: Kelp forests contribute to fisheries by providing habitat for commercially
important species, supporting industries and livelihoods.
5. Coastal Protection: The dense structure of kelp helps reduce wave energy, preventing coastal
erosion and protecting shorelines.
6. Recreation and Tourism: Kelp forests are attractive for ecotourism and recreational activities,
benefiting local economies.
In essence, a healthy kelp forest is vital for the well-being of marine ecosystems and the
communities that depend on them.
Armeet Sandhu
2.
List all the reasons why kelp forests could be declining as stated in the 3 articles.
1. What is a kelp forest?
- A kelp forest is an underwater ecosystem where large brown algae called kelp grow in dense
clusters, providing a habitat for various marine organisms.
2. Why could kelp forests be declining?
- climate Change: Rising sea temperatures and changes in ocean chemistry can negatively
impact kelp growth.
- Overfishing: Removing too many fish that graze on kelp-eating invertebrates can disrupt the
balance in the ecosystem.
- Sea Urchin Overpopulation: When natural predators of sea urchins decline, these grazers can
overpopulate and devour kelp.
- Pollution: Runoff from land, including pollutants and nutrients, can harm kelp and encourage
the growth of harmful algae.
- Disease: Kelp can be susceptible to diseases that may be exacerbated by environmental
stressors.
- Storms and Disturbances: Severe weather events can physically damage kelp and disrupt the
structure of the forest.
- Habitat Destruction: Human activities such as trawling or coastal development can directly
destroy kelp habitats.
3.
What are urchin barrens?
Urchin barrens are areas in the ocean where there is an overabundance of sea urchins, leading
to the degradation of the surrounding ecosystem. When the population of sea urchins becomes
unchecked, they can overgraze on underwater vegetation, such as kelp forests. This excessive
grazing can transform once-diverse marine habitats into barren landscapes with few or no other
species. Urchin barrens are a result of ecological imbalances and can have negative impacts on
marine biodiversity.
4.
Describe the relationship between sea urchins and kelp.
Sea urchins and kelp have a kind of "ecological dance" in the ocean. Sea urchins graze on kelp,
which are large seaweeds, and can impact the health of kelp forests. If there are too many sea
urchins, they can eat young kelp and prevent kelp forests from growing. On the other hand, if
there are not enough sea urchins, they may not control the growth of kelp, leading to overly
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dense kelp forests. So, it's a delicate balance
–
the presence and behavior of sea urchins affect
the abundance and health of kelp ecosystems.
5.
Describe the relationship between sea urchins and sea otters.
Sea otters and sea urchins have a predator-prey relationship. Sea otters feed on sea urchins,
helping to control the population of sea urchins. If sea otters are not present or their population
decreases, sea urchin populations can surge, leading to overgrazing on kelp forests. This, in turn,
can negatively impact the marine ecosystem since kelp forests provide important habitats for
various marine species. So, the presence of sea otters helps maintain a balance in the
underwater ecosystem by controlling the sea urchin population.
6.
How do sea urchins help kelp?
Sea urchins help kelp by feeding on algae that compete with kelp for space. When sea urchin
populations are kept in check, they prevent overgrazing of kelp forests, allowing the kelp to
thrive and create a healthy marine ecosystem. Essentially, sea urchins act as natural grazers,
helping to maintain a balanced and diverse underwater environment by controlling the growth
of competing algae.
7.
Why did the predatory snail,
Kelletia
, appear in the kelp forests of California?
The predatory snail Kelletia likely appeared in the kelp forests of California because it found the
environment suitable for its survival and food availability. Kelp forests provide a habitat with
ample prey, and the snail adapted to this ecosystem to meet its needs for food and shelter.
8.
What happened to the sea surface temperature along the California coast beginning in 2013?
What weather conditions led to this?
The sea surface temperature along the California coast began to rise in 2013. This was mainly
due to a weather phenomenon called "the Blob," which refers to a large area of unusually warm
water in the Pacific Ocean. The Blob was caused by a persistent high-pressure system that led to
reduced winds and less heat exchange with the atmosphere, allowing the sea surface to warm
up. This warmer-than-usual water had various impacts on marine life and ecosystems along the
California coast.
9.
How did the event you described in 8 above affect the kelp forests? Thoroughly explain this
including the relationship between temperature and nutrients.
The rise in sea surface temperature along the California coast beginning in 2013, particularly due
to "the Blob," had significant effects on kelp forests. Kelp forests are underwater ecosystems
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Armeet Sandhu
dominated by large, brown algae known as kelp. Here's how the temperature increase
influenced the kelp forests:
1. Thermal Stress: The warmer sea surface temperature caused thermal stress on the kelp. Kelp
has specific temperature requirements for optimal growth, and when temperatures rise beyond
these thresholds, the algae can become stressed.
2. Nutrient Availability: Warmer water can affect nutrient availability. Normally, upwelling
events bring cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface, supporting the
growth of kelp and other marine organisms. However, the Blob disrupted this process, reducing
the nutrient supply to the surface waters.
3. Increased Herbivore Activity: Warmer temperatures can influence the behavior and
distribution of herbivores that graze on kelp. Some herbivores may thrive in warmer conditions,
leading to increased grazing pressure on the kelp.
4. Kelp Forest Decline: The combination of thermal stress and reduced nutrient availability
weakened the kelp, making it more susceptible to diseases and other stressors. As a result,
some areas experienced a decline in kelp abundance and canopy cover.
5. Shifts in Ecosystem Structure: The changes in the kelp forests had ripple effects throughout
the ecosystem. As kelp declined, it impacted the habitat for various marine species that rely on
these forests for shelter and food.
In summary, the warming sea surface temperature disrupted the balance of the kelp forest
ecosystem by directly affecting the kelp and indirectly influencing nutrient dynamics and species
interactions. The relationship between temperature and nutrient availability plays a crucial role
in the health and stability of marine ecosystems, and changes in these parameters can have
cascading effects on the entire ecosystem.
10.
Describe the relationship between sea stars and urchins.
Sea stars and urchins are both marine animals that belong to the same group called
echinoderms. They share a close biological relationship as they are part of the same phylum,
Echinodermata. Despite their differences in appearance, sea stars and urchins have similar
features, such as a unique water vascular system and a spiny skin. They also have a radial
symmetry, which means their body parts are arranged in a circular pattern.
In terms of their relationship in the ecosystem, both sea stars and urchins play important roles
in maintaining the balance of marine environments. For example, sea stars are known to feed
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on urchins, helping to control the population of urchins. This predation is crucial in preventing
urchins from overgrazing on underwater vegetation, such as kelp forests. In this way, sea stars
contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of the marine ecosystem by regulating the
population of urchins.
11.
Which specific type of sea star is thought to be a key to kelp recovery?
The sunflower sea star is thought to be a key factor in kelp recovery.
12.
What happened to the population size of these sea stars in 2013? What caused this?
In 2013, the population size of sea stars experienced a significant decline. This decline was
primarily caused by a mysterious and devastating disease called Sea Star Wasting Syndrome.
The syndrome led to widespread mortality among sea stars along the Pacific Coast of North
America, causing their populations to decrease dramatically.
13.
What are scientists doing to help the kelp forests recover? State everything these 3 articles
mentioned.
Scientists are taking various measures to help kelp forests recover. They may focus on
addressing the factors that contribute to their decline, such as climate change, pollution, and
overgrazing by herbivores. Additionally, researchers may work on restoring kelp populations
through techniques like transplanting kelp or creating marine protected areas to allow them to
regenerate. The goal is to create conditions that support the natural recovery of kelp forests and
ensure their long-term health.
14.
A multitude of threats to California kelp forests were described in these articles. In your opinion,
what is the biggest threat to kelp forests?
The biggest threat to California kelp forests can vary, but common concerns include factors like
climate change, which brings warmer waters and alters ocean conditions, and human activities
such as overfishing or pollution. Identifying the single biggest threat may depend on the specific
context and the current state of the kelp ecosystem.