Kelp Communities and Sea Otters: Keystone Species or Just Another Brick in the Wall?

摘要: Recent reviews have discussed the effects of many biotic and abiotic factors on abundances kelp species how these vary in space time (Dayton 1985a; Foster Schiel 1985; 1986). Giant (Macrocystis pyrifera) communities along California coast been particular interest because diversity organisms they harbor, their importance to nearshore productivity, economic recreational value (reviewed 1985). The need develop management directives for has fostered much debate about relative various affecting community structure, engendered what we see as essentially opposing views development maintenance structure. focus this sea otter, Enhydra lutris, which presently occurs coasts central California, Alaska, Washington, British Columbia (Riedman Estes, Vol.). Sea otters consume a variety invertebrates, particularly urchins abalone, can be important consumers kelp.