Summary:
- Sea urchins are small, spiny creatures that live in the ocean and feed on kelp forests. When their populations grow too large, they can destroy entire kelp forests, which are important ecosystems for many marine species.
- In recent years, a disease has been killing off many sea stars, which are natural predators of sea urchins. Without sea stars to keep their numbers in check, sea urchin populations have exploded in some areas, leading to the collapse of kelp forests.
- Researchers are studying ways to help restore the balance between sea urchins and their predators, such as by reintroducing sea stars or finding other methods to control urchin populations and allow kelp forests to regrow.