Despite their consumption of the largest urchins, the sea otters alone could not control urchin populations. Sunflower stars play an integral role in these kelp forest communities by preying upon ...

Sea urchins are prickly "hedgehogs of the sea" that exist in every ocean around the globe. You might have seen their spines peeking out of the water during low tide - or even stepped on one while ...

A coastal tribe wants to return otters to their native waters off the Oregon coast, though a recent grant to expedite that ...

To save kelp forests, scientists try breeding sea stars To save kelp forests, scientists try breeding sea stars Massive marine die-off in Russia could threaten endangered sea otters, other ...

A southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) foraging on a purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) in Monterey Bay, California, USA. Image by Morgan Rector. Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert!

Urchins however are readily consumed by sea otters (keystone species), and by keeping urchin numbers low, otters assure that the kelp forest community remains intact. Bottom-up forces influence ...