In the vast expanses of the world's oceans lies a realm teeming with life and wonder. Sea creatures, ranging from the tiniest plankton to the largest whales,
California sea otters were nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century, with only a small number surviving along the central coast. As otters rebounded, a natural experiment unfolded. Scientists could study how otters safeguard California's underwater kelp forests and marshland, even in the face of worsening climate change.
The unique underwater kelp forests that line the Pacific Coast support a varied ecosystem that was thought to have evolved along with kelp. Read more here.