Kelp Beds and Sea Otters: An Experimental Approach
Duggins DO. 1980. Kelp Beds and Sea Otters: An Experimental Approach. Ecology. 61(3):447-453
In Torch Bay, Alaska, USA, sea urchins structure shallow subtidal communities by consuming most macroscopic algae. Experimental removal of urchins leads to the development, within 1 yr, of a kelp association of high biomass and diversity. In the 2nd yr, however, these attributes decrease as a single kelp species, Laminaria groenlandica, becomes dominant. Additional field experiments confirm the competitive superiority of this kelp. These manipulations lead to predictions regarding the ecological role of sea otters, a once common (but now absent) sea urchin predator. The predictions are tested and verified by examining areas into which sea otters have recently been transplanted. As expected, a rapid and extensive modification of algal species composition and a dramatic increase in kelp biomass follow the return of sea otters.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Duggins, David
- Units
- GLBA , KLGO , SEAN , SITK
- Keywords
- Competition, Herbivore, Laminaria, Nereocystis, Predation, Productivity, Sea Otter, sea urchin