Why the Northern California Kelp Forests are Disappearing

Most of us are familiar with the importance of forests like the Redwoods, but what about underwater forests? Kelp forests can be found along the world’s more temperature coastlines. They used to be plentifully all along California’s coast, but now they’ve been struggling. Researchers say small, spiky sea urchins are the main killer of the kelp. But the story is a bit more complicated than that. UC Santa Cruz ocean sciences grad student Meredith McPherson has been assessing the plight of California’s kelp forests. (Segment produced by Cecilia Foster)