References
[1] Schmitz, Oswald & Sylvén, Magnus & Atwood, Trisha & Bakker, Elisabeth & Berzaghi, Fabio & Brodie, Jedediah & Cromsigt, Joris & Davies, Andrew & Leroux, Shawn & Schepers, Frans & Smith, Felisa & Stark, Sari & Svenning, Jens-Christian & Tilker, Andrew & Ylänne, Henni. (2023). Trophic rewilding can expand natural climate solutions. Nature Climate Change. 13. 10.1038/s41558-023-01631-6.
Sea Otter
Kelp forests with sea otters absorb roughly 12 times more carbon than otter-free areas.
Sea otters are a classic example of a keystone predator, a species whose influence on an ecosystem far exceeds what its population size might suggest. Their climate contribution works through a single, powerful mechanism: by preying on sea urchins, they protect kelp forests from being grazed to near-extinction.
Left without predators, sea urchin populations explode and devour entire kelp forests. Instead, where sea otters are present, urchins retreat to rock crevices and kelp forests thrive. The resulting difference in carbon storage is dramatic: kelp forests with sea otters absorb roughly 12 times more than otter-free areas. [1]
Sea Otter
Kelp forests with sea otters absorb roughly 12 times more carbon than otter-free areas.
Sea otters are a classic example of a keystone predator, a species whose influence on an ecosystem far exceeds what its population size might suggest. Their climate contribution works through a single, powerful mechanism: by preying on sea urchins, they protect kelp forests from being grazed to near-extinction.
Left without predators, sea urchin populations explode and devour entire kelp forests. Instead, where sea otters are present, urchins retreat to rock crevices and kelp forests thrive. The resulting difference in carbon storage is dramatic: kelp forests with sea otters absorb roughly 12 times more than otter-free areas. [1]