ECOLOGY NIGHTMARE
10/22/1998
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:
DEEP WATER
feed on Seals and Sea Lions who feed on Fish
COASTAL WATER
feed on Sea Urchins who feed on Kelp
NEW FEEDING PATTERNS
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.
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