Some species, like laminaria, anchor themselves to the seafloor. Others float with the currents. Crabs, starfishes, sea cucumbers and urchins live at the base of the forest canopy. Species such as herring spawn by laying their eggs on kelp. The benefits of kelp forests even extend to airborne creatures.
Sea birds can find easy prey there.
These spiny, round animals don't just eat kelp, they chow down on it. Because otters love to eat urchins, they help kelp forests flourish. But without otters, urchins can quickly decimate a kelp forest. ''When otters aren't present . . . Unfortunately, that may be happening in the Aleutians. There was literally nothing left but stumps.