Focus Concept:
The propagation and importance of kelp to the marine community
Sub-concepts:
Anatomy of kelp; Interactions between kelp and marine species; Effect on habitat of otters preying on sea urchins and sea urchins feeding on kelp; Biodiversity of kelp forests; Propagation of kelp forests in Glacier Bay; Botany: plant or protist; The effectiveness of a marine preserve for protecting species, such as giant kelp; Special adaptations to a marine environment
Generalization:
Kelp forests promote marine biodiversity. In the absence of predators such as the sea otter, kelp forests can be decimated by grazers such as sea urchins. With the return of the sea otter to Glacier Bay, the kelp forests have returned. A wide variety of living creatures could not survive in the urchin barrens but thrive in the kelp forests.
Guiding Question:
What is kelp and why is it important to biodiversity in Glacier Bay?