The Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 remains one of the most catastrophic environmental disasters in history, releasing over 4.1 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Located just 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana, the spill had devastating effects on coastal ecosystems, impacting the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. […]
Tag: Sea Otters
Sea Otters Save California’s Kelp Forests from Extinction
Southern sea otters, known for their playful antics and endearing appearances, are more than just charming residents of California’s central coast. Over the past century, they have played a crucial role in preventing the widespread decline of kelp forests, providing an unexpected yet vital service to these underwater ecosystems. From Near Extinction to Environmental Stewards […]
Sea Otters Helped Minimize Kelp Forest Loss in California, Study Finds
Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California have linked sea otters to healthy kelp forests off the West Coast. According to a new study published in the journal PLOS Climate, the recovery of Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) in central California happened at the same time that kelp forests in the same […]