Aquarium researchers found that in Northern and Southern California, within the last century, the kelp forest has declined drastically by 63 and 52 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, in Central Cali… ...

Sea otters are not just cute and lovable—they also help a crucial habitat flourish. These critters have a well-known influence on kelp forest ecosystems. In Central California, the mammals ...

California’s coast has bull and giant kelp, the world’s largest marine algae. Urchins have hurt both species, though giant kelp forests have fared better.

After purple urchins helped nearly wipe out California's underwater bull kelp forests, biologists say they're seeing promising signs that efforts to save them may be helping.

Sea otters are keystone species in kelp forests. Kelp forests rely on the top-down pressure sea otters exert via predation on sea urchins. By controlling the sea urchin population, they help ...

California volunteer divers are taking part in a pilot project to crush purple urchins, which have contributed to the destruction of 96% of the state's bull kelp forests.

The forests can also store atmospheric carbon. Over the past decade, a majority of kelp forests off the coast of Northern California were destroyed.

Bull kelp has been on the decline because of warming waters and food chain disruption. But the Long Beach aquarium is trying to help.

Bull kelp has been on the decline because of warming waters and food chain disruption. But the Long Beach aquarium is trying to help.