Keywords: otter oceanforlife noaa nationaloceanservice marinesanctuary marinelife kelp ecosystem outdoor animal Sea otters are a “keystone species” within the kelp forest community, as they control the red sea urchin population, effectively keeping the entire ecosystem in balance. To learn more about how NOS is protecting the marine environment, visit: Marine Protected Areas Center Marine Protected Areas Office of National Marine Sanctuaries What is a National Marine Sanctuary?, (Diving Deeper audio podcast) (Original source: What lives in a kelp forest?, Ocean Facts) Sea otters are a “keystone species” within the kelp forest community, as they control the red sea urchin population, effectively keeping the entire ecosystem in balance. To learn more about how NOS is protecting the marine environment, visit: Marine Protected Areas Center Marine Protected Areas Office of National Marine Sanctuaries What is a National Marine Sanctuary?, (Diving Deeper audio podcast) (Original source: What lives in a kelp forest?, Ocean Facts) |