Embedded Files
Imagine this...you're swimming through tall towers of green surrounded by cold water, where sunlight dances through waving blades, and sea creatures dart all around you…
Imagine this...you're swimming through tall towers of green surrounded by cold water, where sunlight dances through waving blades, and sea creatures dart all around you…
Can you imagine where you are?
Correct! You are in of the many kelp forest within the Pacific Ocean right off the coast of California, and it's one of the most beautfiul places you can dive into!
What Is a Kelp Forest?
What Is a Kelp Forest?
Kelp forests are vast ecosystems (ee-co-system: a large neighborhood with animals and things that aren't living such as kelp). Kelp is a type of giant seaweed (not to be confused with a plant!). Some kelp can grow to over 100 feet tall (that is over 2 school busses stacked on each other). They usually grow in cool, shallow ocean water with lots of sunlight for phototsynthesis (photo-sin-the-sis: how plants and seaweeds make food from the sun!).
We usually find kelp forests along the coasts of California. You can find them from San Francisco to Monterey Bay.
Kelp forests are called a "forest" because they are sort of like our tree forests on land. They form dense underwater canopies just like trees and they are also home to hundreds of species such as fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, and much more!
The Rainforest vs. Kelp Forests
The Rainforest vs. Kelp Forests
Just like rainforests, kelp forests have so much biodiversity (by-yo-dye-versity: a high amount of variety of animals and plants). Just like rainforests, kelp forests provide oxygen, food, and shelter for animals. Both the trees in the rainforests and the kelp from kelp forests absorb lots of bad carbon dioxide which helps fight climate change!
If a rainforest grew underwater, it would be a kelp forest!
Who Lives In Kelp Forests?
Who Lives In Kelp Forests?
There are many animals that live in the kelp forests. One of the cutest and most important creature is the sea otter! They keep many of the other animals in check, specifically sea urchins. They love sea urchins! Otters' eating habits are crucial for a kelp! Sea urchins love eating kelp which can damage the wellbeing of kelp forests. There are also many fish species, sea stars, nudibranchs (really small bunny looking slug-like animals), and abalone. Seals and sea lions pass through kelp forests too!
Speaking of sea urchins, they are actually taking over some kelp forests since predators like otters are missing. This is due to warming oceans and pollution damaging kelp. Erosion and changing extreme weather due to climate change have weakened the rocky habitats kelp resides in. When kelp disappears and dies off, many animals loose their homes, food chains collapse, and less bad carbon dioxide is absorbed by kelp.
How Can We Help?
How Can We Help?
There are many ways we can simply help! actions for kids and families:
1. Support marine protected areas by donating to local marine centers such as the Greater Farallones Assosiation. Foundations like that help protect kelp by contributing to conservation efforts. The Marine Mammal Center helps mainly seals but from time to time, they help otters. Any donation to these foundations can help!
2. Keep trash out of storm drains and make sure not to drain oil, grease, waste, and waste water. 3. Learn more about sea otters and ocean health at your local Visitor Center near beaches like Crab Cove
4. Respect ocean life such as tide pools, your local beach, and coastal habitats when exploring!
You may not see kelp forests and the animals that live within unless you dive in—but they’re out there, swaying beneath the waves, doing big work for the ocean and the planet, so let's respect them and make sure that they are protected and thriving!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse