1. Kelp Forest

2. Kelp Largest type of brown algae Grow up 1 ½ - 2 feet/ day
Up to 100 m long
Grow up 1 ½ - 2 feet/ day
May form dense beds or forests

3. Structure of Kelp
Pneumatocysts

4. Abiotic Factors Restricted to cold water Sunlight Hard substrate
Located down eastern shores of ocean

6. Biology of Seaweeds – Kelp Beds and Forests
Kelp is the collective term referring to very large brown algae dominating
cold water regions of the earth.

7. Seasons in Kelp Forest Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Upwelling fertilizes kelp
Abundant plankton, fish feed
Summer
Rapid growth
Autumn
Relatively calm
Winter
Stormy
Many kelp torn up

8. Biology of Seaweeds – Kelp Beds and Forests
If the algae do not form a
surface canopy, the algal
communities are referred to
as kelp beds.
If the algae do form a
surface canopy, the algal
communities are referred to
as kelp forests.

9. Abundant Animal Life Kelp feeders Scavengers Top snail Sea urchins
Kelp crabs
Decorator crabs

11. Other invertebrates Fish Brittle stars Sea stars Crabs Octopuses
Giant kelp fish
Garibaldi
Opaleye
Halibut
Tubesnout

12. ☺☺☺Sea Otters☺☺☺ Smallest marine mammal No blubber
Spend lives in oceans
Anchor to kelp when sleeping

15. Kelp forests affected by climate
El Nino
La Nina