ALL ABOUT KELP FORESTS
Written by Hannah Peterson
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What are Kelp Forests? 
Kelp forests are an important ocean ecosystem that grow primarily along the Pacific coast, with two canopy forming species: Giant Kelp and Bull Kelp. Kelp forests grow along rocky coastlines in relatively shallow areas, preferring cool, nutrient-rich waters. In ideal conditions, kelp can grow up to 18 inches daily. Unlike other plants with tree-like roots, kelp have holdfasts, which act like anchors gripping onto rocky substrates. The plants then grow towards the surface and have gas bladders that keep the upper portions afloat.
What are the Benefits of Kelp?
Kelp forests are beneficial in that they provide food and shelter to many species. The thick kelp blades are used by some species as protection from predators or storms. Kelp also benefits humans. Kelp forests are critical for the fishing and recreation industries. Additionally, kelp contains algin, which is an emulsifying and bonding agent used in products such as shampoo, toothpaste, pudding, salad dressing, dairy products, cakes, frozen foods, and pharmaceuticals. Kelp is also used as food on mollusk farms. The traditional harvesting process for kelp involves pulling a dredge along the bottom of the kelp forest, ripping the plants from the rocks, which is not ideal for the kelp ecosystems.
What are the Threats to Kelp Forests?
In addition to harvesting, kelp forests face a variety of both human and environmental threats. Storms and extreme weather events such as El Niño can tear and dislodge the kelp, in many cases washing it to shore. Kelp also experiences reduced or negative growth rates in warmer waters, so climate change has an impact. Another threat is overfishing, as it disrupts the balance of the ecosystems by removing predators and letting plant-eating populations overeat, destroying the forests. Pollution from industrial waste and sediment runoff also contributes to kelp forest destruction.
How are Kelp Forests Protected?
Kelp forests are an important ecosystem, and therefore need to be protected. Currently, many kelp forests are found in marine protected areas or national marine sanctuaries where they can be studied and monitored by scientists. These scientists will look at kelp size and distribution as well as the oceanic conditions and other life forms inhabiting the kelp forests, as well as how it all changes over time. We can help kelp forests by learning more about preserving and strengthening them and sharing that information with others. We can also work to protect sea otters, which are a keystone species that help kelp forests to thrive.
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SPOTLIGHT CAREER: MARINE MAMMAL RESEARCHER
Written by Hannah Peterson
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Marine Mammal Researchers are professionals who focus their studies on the mammals of the ocean. Research is necessary to understand marine species and support them going forward. Research efforts can contribute to increased knowledge of a species, conservation efforts, and opportunities to teach communities about marine life. Another purpose of research is to monitor the health and status of marine mammal populations, including threats to at-risk species. Marine Mammal Researchers may complete a variety of tasks depending on their location and interests. For example, researchers at the Seattle Aquarium are studying Sea Otters by doing an annual census and studying population genetics, ecology, and endocrinology. Other species that have been studied in great depth by other organizations include Killer Whales and Beluga Whales, but there are many different marine mammal species out there, including seals and dolphins, being studied and to be researched further.
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SPOTLIGHT SPECIES: SEA OTTERS
Written by Brennan Engel
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Sea otters are incredibly unique and wonderful animals. These adorable animals are well known for floating on their backs and holding hands while swimming. They typically live in the northern and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean. In the United States they are found along the West Coast of the United States ranging from the Baja California Peninsula up to Washington State. Sea otters live near kelp forests and are considered a keystone species where they are incredibly important to the maintenance and protection of these wonderful areas. Without them, the kelp forests would surely disappear.
Sea Otters eat Sea urchins. Sea urchins are spiky little creatures that eat kelp at the roots. This causes the entire kelp plant to break off and die. Sea urchins can destroy entire areas of kelp forest relatively quickly. Sea otters eat the urchins and maintain the balance needed to keep this area alive and well. With the decline in kelp forest area, Sea Otter populations remains small even though they are a conservation success. Their decline in growth is because they have reached their population cap and cannot continue to grow because of how small their habitat has become. The best way to save these animals is to save the Kelp Forests.
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Sea Otter Illustration by Eve Feldman
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Virtual Beach/Park Cleanup
Our Virtual Beach/Park Cleanup began on April 22nd and goes until June 30th! We appreciate your participation!
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Earth Day Pledge Video
This year for Earth Day, members of the Aeon for Ocean pod created a video of our pledges to help make Earth a better place. Thanks to everyone who contributed!
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Watch our video here.
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Wetlands Drawing Contest Winners
We wrapped our Wetlands Drawing Contest and are excited to announce that Inca was our grand prize winner, and Dhruti and Advaith were the winners for their age group! See photos below of our winners with their work as well as Inca's poem about wetlands.
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Hennepin County Zero Waste Challenge
For anyone living in Hennepin County, MN, there is a Zero Waste Challenge going on throughout the entire month of May. More information can be found on their website. For everyone else, now is as good a time as ever to reduce your waste!
World Tuna Day
May 2nd is World Tuna Day, developed by the United Nations to raise awareness of tuna's importance and promote sustainable fishing. Find out more on their website.
International Day for Biological Diversity
May 22nd is a day for celebrating Earth's diversity. This holiday was developed by the UN to raise awareness of our planet's declining biodiversity. This year's theme is "We're part of the solution." Visit the Convention of Biological Diversity website to learn how you can get involved and support biodiversity.
World Otter Day
May 26th is for the Otters! As has been discussed in the above articles, Otters are a very important species. Visit the International Otter Survival Fund website for some ideas of how you can celebrate and help Otters this year, including a webinar.
May Team Member Birthdays
May 6: Bashir Ahmed, Board Chair
May 10: Eve Feldman, Illustration Lead
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In case you missed it last month, meet Dave!
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OPPORTUNITIES AT AEON FOR OCEAN
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Calling for applications to join the Education Team!
Our open positions include:
- Education Program Lead
- Education Associate
More information can be found at VolunteerMatch.
Interested applicants can send their resume to hr@aeonforocean.org by Sept 30, 2021
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