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 […]
Tag: Sea Otters
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 […]