1. Kelp Beds: Importance and Dynamics By: Tanay Tailor

2. Structure/Dynamics Kelp Beds: areas of high densities of brown macroalgae (Kelp). Need a hard substrate to attach to, high # of nutrients, and light. Kelp Beds are primarily in temperate and arctic waters.

3. Types of Kelp Beds Canopy Kelps, largest species Stipitate Kelps; grow very densely. Prostrate Kelps, lie at the bottom of the ocean.

4. Dynamics The layout of the Kelp Beds is very similar to an underground forest. The Canopy Kelps blocks sunlight from coming through. The dense Stipitate Kelps darkens the middle. The layout of the Kelp Beds is very similar to an underground forest. The Canopy Kelps blocks sunlight from coming through. The dense Stipitate Kelps darkens the middle. Thus, the Prostrate Kelps get almost no light. Living Organisms must adapt to fulfill their needs of food in this environment. Thus, the Prostrate Kelps get almost no light. Living Organisms must adapt to fulfill their needs of food in this environment. For example, organisms at the bottom cannot be photoautotrophs because of the lack of light. For example, organisms at the bottom cannot be photoautotrophs because of the lack of light.

5. Importance/Dynamics Kelp beds exhibit simple Trophic Ecology. Kelp beds exhibit simple Trophic Ecology. 1) Kelp Beds form in waters with a high amount of nutrients. 1) Kelp Beds form in waters with a high amount of nutrients. 2) This supports the Herbivores. 2) This supports the Herbivores. 3) Now, Consumers can be supported by the herbivores. 3) Now, Consumers can be supported by the herbivores. The Kelp Beds are the starting point of life in parts of the ocean. The Kelp Beds are the starting point of life in parts of the ocean. Without it, the ecosystem could not support the large diversity of animals that live in it because the food chain is broken. Without it, the ecosystem could not support the large diversity of animals that live in it because the food chain is broken. So eat your spinach! l0lz.

6. Patch Dynamics… Some areas of Kelp forests are influenced by the environment. Some areas of Kelp forests are influenced by the environment. Water Pollution (eutrophication), underwater storms, El Nino-oscillation patterns (nutrient depletion), and overfishing harms the kelp beds. Water Pollution (eutrophication), underwater storms, El Nino-oscillation patterns (nutrient depletion), and overfishing harms the kelp beds. Kelp beds also offer many environmental services such as species diversity and can allow people to fish. Kelp beds also offer many environmental services such as species diversity and can allow people to fish.

7. Review! What is a stipitate kelp? What is a stipitate kelp? What layout are Kelp Beds similar to? What layout are Kelp Beds similar to? Why is kelp important for the organisms that live near it? Why is kelp important for the organisms that live near it? What is a photoautotroph? What is a photoautotroph? What type of water are kelp beds found in? What type of water are kelp beds found in? List the three things a Kelp Bed needs to form? List the three things a Kelp Bed needs to form? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRVB EaMo34 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRVB EaMo34 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRVB EaMo34 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdRVB EaMo34

8. Answers Kelps that grow very densely. Kelps that grow very densely. Tropical forest. Tropical forest. It supports the food chain because it is the main food for the herbivores, which sustains other organisms too. It supports the food chain because it is the main food for the herbivores, which sustains other organisms too. Organism that makes food from light by itself. Organism that makes food from light by itself. Temperate and Arctic Temperate and Arctic Hard substrate, lots of nutrients, and light. Hard substrate, lots of nutrients, and light.