Why is it important to monitor sea otter populations?

Monitoring sea otter populations is crucial because they are considered keystone species in marine ecosystems. This means that their presence and activities significantly impact the structure and health of their environment. Sea otters play a vital role in controlling the populations of sea urchins, which are herbivorous echinoderms that feed on kelp. Without the sea otters, the sea urchin population can explode, leading to overgrazing of kelp forests. Kelp forests are extremely important as they provide habitat and resources for a diverse range of marine life and contribute to carbon cycling.

When sea otter populations are healthy, they help maintain the balance within the ecosystem, supporting biodiversity and stabilizing the habitat for numerous other marine organisms. Therefore, tracking their numbers can provide insights into the overall health of marine ecosystems and indicate changes that may be occurring due to various environmental factors.