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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.
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