Short Wave The Purple Urchins Don't Die
Mar 26, 2021
Lauren Sommer, an NPR climate correspondent, sheds light on the pressing issue of purple sea urchins ravaging kelp forests along the Northern California coast. She discusses the alarming 95% decline in kelp since 2014, driven by this overpopulation. The conversation highlights innovative solutions scientists are using, including culinary strategies to turn a marine disaster into a sustainable seafood opportunity. As climate change accelerates, this ecological imbalance may become increasingly common, prompting a creative response.
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Purple Seafloor
- Diver Morgan Murphy-Canella describes Northern California kelp forests being overtaken by purple sea urchins.
- The urchins have devoured the kelp, creating a purple carpet on the seafloor.
The Blob and the Sea Stars
- A "blob" of warm water in 2014 weakened the kelp forests, making them vulnerable.
- A sea star disease outbreak decimated the urchin's main predator, allowing their population to explode.
Bold Urchins
- Diver Meredith McPherson observed urchins becoming bolder in their kelp consumption.
- They climb kelp stalks and consume spores, preventing kelp forest regeneration.