The Otta Kelp Forest
This amazing natural feature is just South-West of the village of Otta, within the Genx region, on Malnax - at 80 metres deep is the largest kelp forest on Esau.
From the surface the tops of the kelp can be seen waving in the Akati Ocean.
Plankton: a microscopic animal/ plant life found floating around the ocean or in bodies of freshwater. Plankton is a main food source used by most aquatic animals in the ocean. Plankton are also a main source of the ocean food chain.
Larva: newly hatched, wingless, often wormlike form of insects. Larva live in the canopy because they can grow easily due to the warmth of the sunlight. The canopy is also a good place to live for them because they are protected from predators eating them.
Snails: usually hangout ion the stipe of the kelp (or the stem). the snails roam around looking for organisms to munch on. Snails are various colors so sometimes may not be able to blend into the kelp.
Sea Stars: stick onto the the stem of kelp. Sea stars like sails are very colorful so they are also a big hint for predators. If a sea star looses its little arm it can easily grow back.
Soft Spinned Urchins: make their homes along the frond on the kelp which is in the middle of the kelp. Sea Urchins are not very colorful so they can sometimes blend in. They have little spikes on them to protect themselves too.
Octopus: makes up one third of the worlds cephalopod population. has over 300 species. Octopus' are highly ranked in the Kelp Forest - next to whales. Octopus have a sharp beak and have 8 arms.
Seahorses: is a vertebrate found in tropical shallows and temperate waters. Seahorses tend to hide in the Kelp Forests from predators. Instead of scales seahorses have a bone structure that is made up of little plates covered with a very thin layer of skin
For example, many types of rockfish such as black rockfish, blue rockfish, olive rockfish, and kelp rockfish are found in kelp forests.
Kelp forests harbour a greater variety and higher diversity of plants and animals than almost any other ocean community. Many organisms use the thick blades as a safe shelter for their young from predators or even rough storms.
Among the many mammals and birds that use kelp forests for protection or feeding are seals, sea lions, whales, sea otters, gulls, terns, stingrays, snowy egrets, great blue herons, cormorants, and shore birds.
From the surface the tops of the kelp can be seen waving in the Akati Ocean.
DEPTH
The dense kelp forest is 75 metres tall and grows at 80 metres deep (only 5 metres to sea surface) Because of their dependency upon light for photosynthesis, kelp forests form in shallow open waters and are rarely found deeper than 49-131 feet.LAYERS
Kelp Forests can be divided into three layers: the canopy, stipes zone, and holdfast zone.Canopy
top layer of the kelp forest, also called the surface zone. Shelters small organisms and is called the nursery zone.Plankton: a microscopic animal/ plant life found floating around the ocean or in bodies of freshwater. Plankton is a main food source used by most aquatic animals in the ocean. Plankton are also a main source of the ocean food chain.
Larva: newly hatched, wingless, often wormlike form of insects. Larva live in the canopy because they can grow easily due to the warmth of the sunlight. The canopy is also a good place to live for them because they are protected from predators eating them.
Stalk
Shelters to medium sized animals and is also the middle layer of the kelp forest.Snails: usually hangout ion the stipe of the kelp (or the stem). the snails roam around looking for organisms to munch on. Snails are various colors so sometimes may not be able to blend into the kelp.
Sea Stars: stick onto the the stem of kelp. Sea stars like sails are very colorful so they are also a big hint for predators. If a sea star looses its little arm it can easily grow back.
Soft Spinned Urchins: make their homes along the frond on the kelp which is in the middle of the kelp. Sea Urchins are not very colorful so they can sometimes blend in. They have little spikes on them to protect themselves too.
Holfast/Root
Shelters to larger sized animals and is also what holds the whole kelp plant down.Octopus: makes up one third of the worlds cephalopod population. has over 300 species. Octopus' are highly ranked in the Kelp Forest - next to whales. Octopus have a sharp beak and have 8 arms.
Seahorses: is a vertebrate found in tropical shallows and temperate waters. Seahorses tend to hide in the Kelp Forests from predators. Instead of scales seahorses have a bone structure that is made up of little plates covered with a very thin layer of skin
OTHER ANIMALS
A wide range of fish can be found in kelp forests.For example, many types of rockfish such as black rockfish, blue rockfish, olive rockfish, and kelp rockfish are found in kelp forests.
Kelp forests harbour a greater variety and higher diversity of plants and animals than almost any other ocean community. Many organisms use the thick blades as a safe shelter for their young from predators or even rough storms.
Among the many mammals and birds that use kelp forests for protection or feeding are seals, sea lions, whales, sea otters, gulls, terns, stingrays, snowy egrets, great blue herons, cormorants, and shore birds.
Type
Forest
Location under
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