Sea Otter Behavior and Its Influence on Littoral Community Structure
Coletti H . 2021. Sea Otter Behavior and Its Influence on Littoral Community Structure. Pages 139–160. In Coletti H . Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Sea Otters and Polar Bears. Springer Cham. Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals
The near extirpation and subsequent recovery of sea otters throughout much of their historic range provides an opportunity to examine the influence of a large marine carnivore on littoral habitats. In this review of the sea otters’ role in nearshore community structure, I provide examples that compare and contrast shifts in prey communities among varying habitats, which reflect inherent productivity, prey availability, sea otter population density, and foraging behavior. Considered together, these variables can aid in sea otter management. Many coastal areas in the North Pacific Rim are still recovering as sea otters return to the nearshore marine ecosystem as a keystone predator. In their absence, what was considered a natural state must be re-evaluated as direct and cascading effects become apparent. Questions remain as to the full range and persistence of ecosystem-level effects of sea otters in a variety of habitats: What does a natural system with sea otters look like?
- Type
- Book Chapter
- Authors
- Coletti, Heather
- Units
- KATM , KEFJ
- Keywords
- Enhydra lutris, sea otter
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Mammals