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Kelp forests, one of the most diverse marine ecosystems, are dying along the west coast of North America.
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A new study says recovering sunflower starfish populations could save forests.
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The starfish are voracious predators that feed on sea urchins and help keep the ecosystem in balance.
Kelp forests are dying along much of the west coast of North America, but scientists believe the return of a once-abundant predator to underwater ocean ecosystems could save them.
Populations of sunflower starfish, or Pycnopodia helianthoides, have been collapsing rapidly since 2013, in part due to a disease called Sea Star Wasting Syndrome, which may have been made worse by warming ocean temperatures.
When the starfish disappeared, some of his prey blossomed. Populations of kelp-feeding sea urchins have since exploded, and underwater forests have been decimated in turn. The authors of a new article suggest the loss of sunflower starfish is to blame.
The study, published in the Royal Society last month, says restoring starfish populations, either through natural means or through human-facilitated reintroduction, could control sea urchin populations and restore kelp forests.
Kelp forests support a greater diversity of plants and animals than almost any other ecosystem in the ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Animals that rely on the dense vegetation for protection from predators or storms include seals and sea lions, whales, otters and birds, among others.
Meet the sunflower starfish that scientists say could save them.
Sunflower starfish are among the largest sea stars in the world and can reach 3 feet in diameter.
Although commonly referred to as starfish, the term is technically incorrect as they are not actually fish.
They are voracious predators that feed on sea urchins, clams, snails, sea cucumbers and other starfish.
Adults can have anywhere from 16 to 24 limbs that they use to move and grab their prey.
Sunflower starfish can move at high speeds — as far as starfish go — traveling about 3.3 feet per minute.
They have a unique skeleton that allows them to open their mouths wide enough on their underside to swallow their prey.
Sunflower starfish have 15,000 tube feet on their limbs that can regrow if lost.
Their soft and spongy skin comes in a variety of colors including pink, orange, purple, green, and brown.
Read the original article on Business Insider
