Kelp
Dec 22, 2019 12:32:47 #
A bunch of kelp washed up on the beach.
Off the coast of California are great kelp forests. Rooted to the rocks (although they don't use roots) to withstand storm and tide, they rise as much as thirty or forty feet from the sea floor to the ocean's surface. They host a complex and delicate ecosystem. Masses of kelp are thrown up on the shore by storms, and are not uncommon sights. Some of the forests have been threatened recently by a disease that kills starfish. The starfish normally keep the sea urchin population in control, and without them the sea urchin population explodes. The sea urchins eat the base of the kelp, and reduce vast swathes to urchin barrens.
Off the coast of California are great kelp forests. Rooted to the rocks (although they don't use roots) to withstand storm and tide, they rise as much as thirty or forty feet from the sea floor to the ocean's surface. They host a complex and delicate ecosystem. Masses of kelp are thrown up on the shore by storms, and are not uncommon sights. Some of the forests have been threatened recently by a disease that kills starfish. The starfish normally keep the sea urchin population in control, and without them the sea urchin population explodes. The sea urchins eat the base of the kelp, and reduce vast swathes to urchin barrens.
Dec 22, 2019 16:02:49 #
Wow! I didn't know that! Another great post and excellent shot, Hugh!
Dec 22, 2019 20:35:16 #
htbrown wrote:
A bunch of kelp washed up on the beach. br br Off... (show quote)
A FYI.
Around the turn of the 1900's the sea otter were nearly exterpated
by hunters for the pelts.
The sea otters gone, the urchin population exploded. The kelp almost disappeared.
Federal laws were put in place to stop hunting.
That and other measures brought the otters back, not to previous numbers, but enough.
Once more proving, it's not wise to mess with Mother Nature.
Bill
Dec 22, 2019 22:34:42 #
These pictures of New Zealand kelp. I love these ocean pictures. The sea life both plant and animal is endlessly complex and wonderful. I like your nice crisp photo. Your description adds to it. Many Americans in flyover country never get to see and smell the wonders of the sea. Their loss.
Dec 22, 2019 23:27:21 #
newtoyou wrote:
A FYI.
Around the turn of the 1900's the sea otter were nearly exterpated
by hunters for the pelts.
The sea otters gone, the urchin population exploded. The kelp almost disappeared.
Federal laws were put in place to stop hunting.
That and other measures brought the otters back, not to previous numbers, but enough.
Once more proving, it's not wise to mess with Mother Nature.
Bill
Around the turn of the 1900's the sea otter were nearly exterpated
by hunters for the pelts.
The sea otters gone, the urchin population exploded. The kelp almost disappeared.
Federal laws were put in place to stop hunting.
That and other measures brought the otters back, not to previous numbers, but enough.
Once more proving, it's not wise to mess with Mother Nature.
Bill
The otters are part of the picture for sure, but the kelp forests have a much wider range than do otters. Nearly all of the 3,000 or so living otters of the species native to the California coasts live along a small stretch of coast around Monterey. The kelp forests stretch from Baja California to the Aleutian Islands. The otters may have helped the kelp where they live, but not everywhere else.
An interesting proposal that's been kicking around recently is to (re)introduce the otters to the San Francisco Bay. Those in the know think it would triple the otter population. They'll never get to the bay on their own because of the great white sharks, but the sharks don't often come into the bay. Recent research suggests that even though we call them sea otters, historically they were primarily estuary otters, and should do well in the San Francisco Bay.
Dec 23, 2019 10:51:51 #
htbrown wrote:
A bunch of kelp washed up on the beach. br br Off... (show quote)
Htbrown, excellent photo and this example (lack of starfish) shows how a simple reduction of one animal can affect many others. I understand that they are the nurseries for many of the fish that live in the area.
Greg
Dec 23, 2019 11:15:51 #
Dec 23, 2019 12:56:59 #
Really nice shot. If you take the time to sort through the slippery mess you would be surprised at the closeup and macro shots available.
Dec 23, 2019 18:29:18 #
Dec 28, 2019 15:13:03 #
Dec 28, 2019 16:47:16 #
Rich Maher wrote:
Good shot. Makes me want to head out to the coast after xmas.
What could make any photographer happier than to hear one of their images motivated another? I can't imagine a higher compliment. Thank you!
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