For a diver entering the kelp for the first time it can be a bit unnerving. As I descended into the kelp I lost sight of a clear path to the surface, something a diver relies on should they need to make an emergency ascent.
All these nervous thoughts vanished as I reached the bottom and started to explore the kelp. It is difficult to describe the tranquil atmosphere as I swam by the multitudes of fish and plant life. My favorite kelp forest dweller is without a doubt the Garibaldi, a very colorful and curious character.
Kelp forests span the West Coast of North America, all the way from Alaska to Baja California. Unfortunately the kelp forests are put at risk by natural and human influences alike.
Ecosystems: Impacts on Kelp Forests, on the website for National Marine Sanctuaries, describes many of the threats to kelp forests, focusing mainly on coastal runoff. Examples of coastal runoff are storm drains and sewage. An excess of freshwater, often polluted with pesticides, changes the salt level concentration, which can be harmful to both the kelp and the fish that call it home.
Based on a study done at the University of California Santa Barbara, scientists have presented the argument that overfishing is the greatest threat to kelp forests. Given the long history of overfishing and exploitation on the West Coast, it seems that no-take marine preserves may be the only way to determine the true effect of overfishing as they will uncover the effects of other threats.
Kelp forests are an extremely diverse ecosystem where every participant is important in maintaining stability. Sea otters are essential to the kelp forest ecosystem because they keep the population of creatures such as sea urchins that feed on kelp in check. Sea otter populations are most at risk in the event of an oil spill. When the sea otter population decreases the sea urchin populations explodes.
Fortunately some very important steps are being made in the right direction on this issue, most important of which being the expansion of the California underwater state park system in 2010. More to explore for the underwater adventurers of the world! Kelp forests are definitely a must see for divers and snorkelers alike. For divers I have two kelp forest diving suggestions. You should have enough dive experience to be completely comfortable underwater and you should always carry a dive knife. Should you need to use it to free yourself from the kelp be sure not reach behind yourself and start hacking away in panic, remember your air supply hose is back there too!
Ecosystems: Impacts on Kelp Forests, on the website for National Marine Sanctuaries, describes many of the threats to kelp forests, focusing mainly on coastal runoff. Examples of coastal runoff are storm drains and sewage. An excess of freshwater, often polluted with pesticides, changes the salt level concentration, which can be harmful to both the kelp and the fish that call it home.
Based on a study done at the University of California Santa Barbara, scientists have presented the argument that overfishing is the greatest threat to kelp forests. Given the long history of overfishing and exploitation on the West Coast, it seems that no-take marine preserves may be the only way to determine the true effect of overfishing as they will uncover the effects of other threats.
Kelp forests are an extremely diverse ecosystem where every participant is important in maintaining stability. Sea otters are essential to the kelp forest ecosystem because they keep the population of creatures such as sea urchins that feed on kelp in check. Sea otter populations are most at risk in the event of an oil spill. When the sea otter population decreases the sea urchin populations explodes.
Fortunately some very important steps are being made in the right direction on this issue, most important of which being the expansion of the California underwater state park system in 2010. More to explore for the underwater adventurers of the world! Kelp forests are definitely a must see for divers and snorkelers alike. For divers I have two kelp forest diving suggestions. You should have enough dive experience to be completely comfortable underwater and you should always carry a dive knife. Should you need to use it to free yourself from the kelp be sure not reach behind yourself and start hacking away in panic, remember your air supply hose is back there too!
So pretty!! It is so disheartening when our mistakes ruin such precious life.
ReplyDelete