Underwater Forests

Kelp Forests are critical nearshore habitats for a variety of marine species. Kelps are large brown algae found along North Americas Pacific coast, in cool temperate water. Kelp forests are composed of dense stands of Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) or Bull Whip Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) with an understory of several species of red and brown algae. Along the central California coast, Giant Kelp, grows on rocky bottoms at depths of 6-35 meters (20 -100 ft) and may reach lengths of 40m (120 ft) each season. The kelp is thinned annually by winter storms and returns each spring and summer.

These underwater towers of kelp provide essential habitat, food and shelter for thousands of fish, invertebrate and marine mammal species. Kelp forests have a greater variety and higher diversity of plants and animals than almost any other ocean community. Kelp is an abundant and continuous food source and provides many different types of living space. Young kelp plants must compete for space to settle and grow, as the rocky bottom is carpeted with smaller algae and invertebrates like anemones, sponges, bryozoans and soft corals.

Highly productive kelp forests are critical nursery grounds for numerous rockfish species.
The diverse fish and invertebrate life here supports a variety of marine mammals, like the endangered Southern Sea Otter. Harbor Seals and Sea Lions forage for kelp forest fish and are regularly seen by divers, kayakers and visitors to the shoreline.

Sanctuaries study the kelp forest community by visiting and revisiting specific areas to assess the presence and abundance of a variety of plant and animal species. Monitoring allows us to determine if the kelp forest is changing over time and seeks identify the cause of those changes, whether natural or human induced.

Healthy kelp forests maintain the existence of thousands of plans and animals, support our local fisheries and the many ocean and tourism based businesses dependent on a thriving ocean ecosystem.

Kelp forests are very well studied, but the majority of the worlds ocean is largely unexplored. We all depend on the ocean for food, oxygen and even life saving pharmaceuticals. Do your part to keep the ocean and local waterways clean, litter free and healthy.

For more information, pictures, and video of kelp forests and other Central California marine life and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, please visit www.sanctuarysimon.org

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[battery129]

y cant anyone type what she says so other kids could use it.

:):):)