Kelp Forests

Flashcards covering key concepts related to kelp forests, their ecology, and interactions within marine ecosystems.

Kelp Forests

Ecosystems dominated by brown seaweeds, primarily from the Laminariales order.

Macrocystis

A common species of kelp known for its high growth rate and ability to reach up to 50 cm of growth per day.

Laminaria

Another common type of kelp that grows from its base upwards and has older tissue that erodes.

Kelp requirements

Conditions necessary for kelp growth including cold water (<20˚C), hard substrates, continuous nutrient supply, and sufficient light.

Urchin grazing

Relatively low percentage of kelp production is consumed by grazers such as sea urchins, abalone, and limpets.

Top-down control

A regulatory mechanism where predators like sea otters control the population of herbivores, thereby affecting kelp density.

Boom-and-bust cycles

Fluctuations in kelp and sea urchin populations over time, often influenced by environmental factors.

Impact of storms on kelp forests

Storms can remove kelp and reshape ecosystems by affecting species composition and diversity.

Trophic cascade

A process where the effects of predator populations extend down to herbivore and plant communities in the ecosystem.

Alternative stable states

Ecosystem scenarios that lead to different ecological outcomes based on species interactions and environmental changes.

Kelp grazing by urchins

Urchins can severely damage young kelp and holdfasts leading to kelp population declines, especially when not controlled by predators.