ECOSYSTEMS > COASTAL WATERS
We’re all familiar with how forests work on land. Large trees shelter smaller ones, which in turn shelter a variety of shrubs, bushes, grasses and fungi. Combined, this structured arrangement provides food and shelter to numerous animals — kind of like a modern city with residents each finding their own place to live, feed and reproduce. In the oceans, kelp forests serve an identical purpose. These vast underwater forests teem with life, from tiny invertebrates to creatures as large as gray whales. Some of these animals, like canary rockfish, live out their lives in the forest while others, like great white sharks, may be transitory, entering only to feed or find temporary shelter.
We’re all familiar with how forests work on land. Large trees shelter smaller ones, which in turn shelter a variety of shrubs, bushes, grasses and fungi. Combined, this structured arrangement provides food and shelter to numerous animals — kind of like a modern city with residents each finding their own place to live, feed and reproduce. In the oceans, kelp forests serve an identical purpose. These vast underwater forests teem with life, from tiny invertebrates to creatures as large as gray whales. Some of these animals, like canary rockfish, live out their lives in the forest while others, like great white sharks, may be transitory, entering only to feed or find temporary shelter.
Features Related to Kelp Forests:
Broken Chain: Sea Otters and Kelp Forests: In nature, nothing lives in isolation. When the last sea otter was killed in Oregon in the early twentieth century, it caused environmental repercussions we're still dealing with today.
Orca Reporting: Scientists are trying to learn more about Orcas who reside in Oregon waters. Learn how you can help spot these coastal predators and aid with the research.
Marine Reserves: Sanctuaries for Science: Oceanscape Youth Correspondents join Oregon Surfrider at a local marine reserve to learn more about these somewhat controversial sanctuaries set aside for conservation and scientific study.
Orca Reporting: Scientists are trying to learn more about Orcas who reside in Oregon waters. Learn how you can help spot these coastal predators and aid with the research.
Marine Reserves: Sanctuaries for Science: Oceanscape Youth Correspondents join Oregon Surfrider at a local marine reserve to learn more about these somewhat controversial sanctuaries set aside for conservation and scientific study.
Representative Species in Oregon Kelp Forests:
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Suggested Activities for Kelp Forests:
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