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Research suggests sunflower sea stars may help restore kelp forests

A new study shows sunflower sea stars could deter sea urchins and assist in kelp forest recovery.

July 30, 2025 at 06:35 PM

Eerie Sea Creatures Could Hold the Secret to Forest Revival

Sunflower sea stars may offer a natural solution to restore kelp forests by deterring sea urchins, key to reversing ecological damage.

Sunflower Sea Stars May Restore Kelp Forests

Kelp forests, vital ecosystems for marine life, face severe threats due to overgrazing by sea urchins. The recent research highlights sunflower sea stars as potential natural predators to help combat this issue. Conducted by UC Santa Cruz, the study showed that these sea stars could deter red sea urchins, a major threat to kelp forests. By creating a ‘landscape of fear,’ sunflower sea stars may help restore balance to these underwater landscapes critical for both biodiversity and the economy. The study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, raises hopes for a natural method to reverse ecological damage historically exacerbated by a decline in sunflower sea stars, caused by a wasting disease.

Key Takeaways

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Kelp forests are crucial for marine biodiversity and global economy.

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Overgrazing by sea urchins has severely damaged these ecosystems.

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Sunflower sea stars may deter red sea urchins and help restore kelp forests.

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The study was conducted off the coast of Sitka, Alaska.

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Research results show a significant avoidance behavior by red sea urchins.

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Further studies are needed to evaluate long-term effects and other species' interactions.

"We show that the sea stars create a ‘landscape of fear’ among red sea urchins in degraded urchin barrens that reduces grazing on kelp."

Kristy Kroeker explains how the research demonstrates the deterrent effect of sea stars on sea urchins.

"These are very hungry urchins that are dissuaded enough by the scent of a sea star to deter grazing on kelp forests, which is promising for thinking about their role in kelp-forest recovery."

Kristy Kroeker highlights the potential of sunflower sea stars in aiding kelp forest recovery.

The findings present a fascinating shift in the approach to marine conservation. Instead of expensive and labor-intensive methods to remove sea urchins, reintroducing sunflower sea stars could offer a simpler and cost-effective solution. While the immediate results are promising, the long-term impacts of this potential restoration strategy remain uncertain. As scientists explore further, the complexities of marine ecosystems come into sharper focus, underscoring the need for careful management of these valuable habitats.