Steller Cove Exhibit
Steller's Sea Lions | Sea Otters | Research Station | Tide Pool | Kelp Forest | Exhibit Art & Poetry | Video
 Kelp Forest Exhibit
Feathery fronds of kelp wave in the waters near shore, as air- filled floats lift the kelp; from the sea floor to the water's surface. Growing closely together in groves, tangles of kelp provide food and protection for a diversity of ocean plants and animals.
The kelp forest in our exhibit shows visitors the beauty and complexity of a kelp forest. Because sunlight and nutrient requirements are hard to recreate in an exhibit, our kelp forest is made of artificial kelp, but the animals are real. The forest is home to snails, urchins, sea stars, crabs, anemones, sea cucumbers, rockfish, paintedgreenlings, kelp greenlings, surf perch and cabezon.
One Thing Leads to Another
Sea Otters like to eat sea urchins, and sea urchins like to graze on bull kelp. So what happens when the otters disappear? The sea urchins multiply and devour the kelp, destroying a forest of food and protection for coastal fish and other animals.
Standing Tall
The kelp forest is an intricate web of plants and animals, dominated by fast-growing kelp - - some can grow up to 12 inches every day! The kelp provides shelter and food for many animals, who in turn become food for others.
To learn interesting facts about kelp, visit The Catalina Island Conservancy web site.
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