Are there kelp forests in the Pacific Ocean?
Are there kelp forests in the Pacific Ocean?
Kelp forests grow predominantly along the Eastern Pacific Coast, from Alaska and Canada to the waters of Baja, California. Kelp forests are composed of rapidly growing large brown algae. Kelp forests grow predominantly along the Eastern Pacific Coast, from Alaska and Canada to the waters of Baja, California.
Where are the kelp forests located?
WHERE DOES KELP GROW? Rich in biodiversity, kelp forests grow along rocky shorelines, mostly on the Pacific coast, from Alaska to Baja, California.
Where is the largest kelp forest?
The region with the greatest diversity of kelps (>20 species) is the northeastern Pacific, from north of San Francisco, California, to the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Although kelp forests are unknown in tropical surface waters, a few species of Laminaria have been known to occur exclusively in tropical deep waters.
Why are kelp forests in danger?
Strong storms and changing water temperatures can cause changes in kelp forest communities. Human activities also impact the health of kelp forests through coastal development, sedimentation, pollution, and fishing. Removing predators while fishing can alter the food chain.
How does kelp forest help humans?
Kelp is used to make many products: toothpastes, shampoos, salad dressings, puddings, cakes, dairy products, frozen foods, and even pharmaceuticals. Kelp forests are extremely biologically productive habitats for a huge range of sea creatures including fish, urchins, sea otters, sea lions, and even some whales.
Why is giant kelp not a plant?
Since the giant kelp is not a plant, it does not have roots. Instead, it obtains all of the necessary nutrients directly from the water and is attached to the rocky bottom by a structure known as a holdfast.
Are kelp forest dying?
Northern California’s kelp forest ecosystem is gone, replaced by widespread “urchin barrens.” Satellite imagery shows that the area covered by kelp forests off the coast of Northern California has dropped by more than 95%, with just a few small, isolated patches of the bull kelp remaining.
What happens if there is no kelp?
The concern about kelp is not just about the giant underwater algae itself. There are many marine animals that depend on kelp including abalone, commercially valuable urchin species and many kinds of fish. The destruction of the kelp forests is a major disruption of marine ecosystems that will have far-ranging impacts.
What are the side effects of kelp?
Skin reaction, goiter, and, occasionally, intestinal effects may occur. Some other side effects of overuse of kelp supplements include abnormal bleeding, kidney problems and diarrhea and reduced blood sugar levels. The most important side effect of kelp is the imbalance of the thyroid gland.
How can humans harm kelp forest?
Human activities also impact the health of kelp forests through coastal development, sedimentation, pollution , and fishing. Removing predators while fishing can alter the food chain. For example, with the elimination of sea otter and the over harvesting of the spiny lobster in California, plant-eating animals like the purple sea urchin can spread and eat kelp, causing a loss of habitat.
Where would you find a kelp forest?
Rich in biodiversity, kelp forests grow along rocky shorelines, mostly on the Pacific coast , from Alaska to Baja, California.
What plants live in kelp forest?
These include the giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), oarweed (Laminaria setchellii), bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), and featherboa (Egregia menziesii). Characteristics of Kelp Forests. Kelp forests have some characteristics in common with forests found on land.
Where are kelp forests located?
Kelp forests grow predominantly along the Eastern Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Canada, to the waters of Baja California. These kelp forests are found in 4 of our National Marine Sanctuaries along the West Coast,and are dominated by two species. Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana).
