Kelp
Forests

dive into the
underwater
skyscrapers of the
Channel Islands

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The Channel Islands are home to towering undersea forests.
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These oceanic jungles provide shelter and breeding grounds for countless marine organisms.

You can think of each stalk of kelp like a high-rise apartment building.

Come meet the finned, flippered, and clawed residents of these underwater skyscrapers.

Canopy

If the kelp forest is an apartment building, then this is its top floor.
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The canopy is made up of a thick mat of kelp leaves called “blades” that float on the ocean surface, providing shelter to many residents.

Western Gull

Larus occidentalis

Makes its home in large colonies on the rocks of Anacapa Island.
Can live up to 25 years!
Grabs snacks by swooping down and snatching up the tiny critters on the canopy.

Northern Kelp Crab

Pugettia producta

Gets its name from its ability to blend in with the kelp.
Has long legs with many joints, perfect for climbing kelp.
Sticks small pieces of kelp to its shell to snack on later.

Grey Whale

Eschrichtius robustus

Swims into the kelp forest to hide from killer whales.
Snacks on the abundant invertebrates and crustaceans in the forest.
Has been seen rolling around in the kelp, a behavior called “kelping.” May be playing, may be cleaning themselves off— scientists aren’t sure.

Understory

While it has fewer blades than the canopy, this next level down is still protected from the surface. It is the perfect home and nursery for many species of fish.

Giant Sea Bass

Stereolepis gigas

One of the top kelp forest predators, measuring up to 7ft long and weighing up to 800 lbs.
Each fish has a unique spot pattern, which helps scientists track them.
Was severely overfished, and is only just starting to make a comeback.

Opaleye

Girella nigricans

Eat both kelp and the small crustaceans that cling to it.
A favorite food of the sea lions that often cruise kelp forests…
….but can give sea lions a deadly lung parasite in return.

California Sheephead

Semicossyphus pulcher

Has large front teeth that allow it to eat both urchins and lobsters.
All born female, but can turn into males to keep the population level balanced.
Female is all dull pink. Male has black head and tail, with a red band across its middle.

Holdfast

This rootlike-tangle holds the kelp to the sea floor. It has countless nooks and crannies, with room for thousands of organisms from over 150 different species.

Purple Urchin

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

One of the top consumers of giant kelp itself.
Chews away at the holdfast, causing kelp to drift off.
Creates large “urchin barrens” where there are tons of urchins but no kelp.

California Spiny Lobster

Panulirus interruptus

Differs from the Maine lobster because it lacks claws.
Instead has long antennae that it rubs together to make a loud noise to scare of predators.
Swims backwards using its powerful tail.

Brittle Star

Ophiuroidea

1 square meter can contain up to 300 brittle stars.
Has many fragile arms that can easily break off. However, they regrow quickly.
Burry themselves for protection, and reach out with one arm to catch food.

Diving Deeper

This is just a small sampling of the diverse creatures who call the kelp forest home. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can get to know our aquatic neighbors better, some of which don’t even require getting your feet wet:

Check out the kelp forest cam out at Anacapa Island. Running live 24/7, you might just catch a glimpse of some of the skyscraper residents.

Rocky tidepools on your local beach are the sandy suburbs. Follow these easy tips, and you will find many similar residents sheltering from the waves.

Ever notice big patches of kelp floating just past the waves? Those are kelp forests! Grab a snorkel and some flippers, and dive in.

KelpForests