As reported by James Estes and Terrie Williams in a recent issue of SCIENCE about the ecology in the Gulf of Alaska.
PREVIOUS FOOD CHAINS:
- Killer Whales feed on Seals and Sea Lions who feed on Fish
NEW FEEDING PATTERNS
- Sea Otters feed on Sea Urchins who feed on Kelp
- Overfishing and ocean warming reduce fish populations
- With less fish, populations of seals and sea lions fall
- Starved killer whales start feeding on sea otters instead
- sea otter population falls by 25% per year
- No longer controlled by sea otter, sea urchin population explodes
- sea urchins mow down kelp beds
- Species that depend on kelp for protection and food are stressed and decline
[Coastal Fish, Mussels, Barnacles, Birds]
Within a short period of time a virtual "desert" is formed.