Post on 02-Jan-2016
Facts
• West coast of North America
• Kelp are large brown algae
• Grow in dense groupings much like a forest
grow in dense groupings much like a forest grow in dense groupings much like a forest
Facts continued....
• Kelp forests have a greater variety of plants and animals than almost any other ocean community
• Many organisms use the thick blades as a safe shelter
More info...
• Among the many mammals and birds that use kelp forests for protection or feeding
• Seals, sea lions, whales, sea otters, gulls, terns, snowy egrets, great blue herons, cormorants, and shore birds.
Sea Otters
• Sea otters havestrong control on kelp forest
• Sea otters bring urchins, abalones, and other benthic animals to the surface and often smash them on their chests with the aid of a rock
Credits
• http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/kelp.html
• http://www.fortrossstatepark.org/images/variousphotos/otter02.jpg
• http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/kelpforest.html