Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Western Ecological Research Center (WERC, Sacramento) | Format: URL
www.werc.usgs.gov — Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are keystone predators in the nearshore environment of the eastern Pacific Ocean, in a food web composed of sea otter, sea urchin, and kelp forest. Without sea otters, the kelp forest can be overgrazed by sea urchins, which in turn can affect other species that depend on this ecosystem. This resource provides links to More...
Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Alaska Science Center (ASC, Anchorage) | Format: .PDF
www.absc.usgs.gov — An extensive and diverse array of studies were implemented concurrent with and for several years following the Exxon Valdez oil spill to determine the acute and chronic effects to sea otters. In part, this paper describes what activities relative to sea otters should take place prior to, during, and following another spill similar to the Exxon More...
Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Alaska Science Center (ASC, Anchorage) | Format: URL
www.absc.usgs.gov — An overview of research that looks at the interactions between sea otters and prey species, allowing an assessment of the effects that sea otters have on composition and productivity of coastal marine communities. Includes links to USGS publications resulting from this research.