Introduction

We researched kelp forests and the issues they face due to increased grazing pressures by sea urchins. Kelp forests are composed of two types of brown algae, giant kelp and bull kelp. They grow best in areas where the water is cold and nutrient-rich, either due to upwelling or ocean gyre movement up continental coasts from the poles. Kelps require a strong, rocky substrate on which to anchor themselves with their holdfasts, and enough light to photosynthesize. 

Kelp forests are recognized as one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. Under the right conditions the giant kelp can grow up to 2 feet per day. With this amount of productivity and plant biomass, kelp forests support a huge variety of marine life and provide considerable ecosystem services to humans. As we discuss in our project however, kelp forests have been facing threats and declines due to an increase in sea urchin herbivory as a result of a trophic cascade. 

Location

Although kelp forests are found in multiple places around the world, we will be narrowing our focus to a regional scale and focusing on the forests along the west coast of North America, specifically the California coast. The ecosystems affected by the issue are coastal ecosystems which depend on the kelp forests for buffering, and the marine biome surrounding kelp forests which are home to many different organisms.

Global distribution of kelp forests 

https://www.fossweb.com/delegate/ssi-foss-ucm/Contribution%20Folders/FOSS/multimedia_ms_1E/PopulationsandEcosystems/ecoregion/kelp/index.html

Harbor seal in a kelp forest near San Diego, California

http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/outreach/underwater-photography/2013-winners/