It can be divided into layers based on the kind of animal life found there. The top layer of a kelp forest is called the canopy and most animal life can be found here. You'll find lots of seabirds, schools of fish, and marine mammals in or near the canopy. Of course, some of these animals, also use other parts of the forest, too. Birds, like cormorants, dive into the water to hunt for food among the fronds.
Sea otters swim to the ocean floor to search for abalone.
In the middle of the kelp forest, you'll find snails and other marine organisms on the blades and stipes. Many kinds of fish swim among the fronds, too. Each kelp strand is attached to the ocean floor by its holdfast. Here, you'll always find sea urchins and brittle stars. Algin, a gel-like substance from kelp is used in products from adhesives to dairy to pharmaceutical products.