Exploring our local world under water

By Curtis Reale

A school of fish navigating the midwater canopy. Photo Creds: Marco Mazza

On Aug. 14, 2023, Bowen Brock, marine biologist and UCSB alumnus, began his weekly journey through the giant kelp forest off the coast of Santa Barbara.

“It feels like a different world filled with life,” said Brock, remembering the transformational experience.

He continued further through the kelp when he spotted a school of giant sea bass, an endangered species that inhabits these forests.

Marine Biologist and UCSB Alumni, Bowen Brock, taking notes on his findings underwater. Photo Creds: Sabrina Gran

“I saw 21 of them on my 21st birthday,” said Brock. “I couldn’t believe it. There were so many endangered fish in one place.”

The giant kelp forests along the Santa Barbara coastline are unique, teeming with endangered life forms and unparalleled biodiversity. Giant kelp is the largest marine alga in the world, growing about two feet every 24 hours and capable of reaching over 100 feet tall. According to California's National Park Service, the grand size of giant kelp forests creates intricate underwater canopies that are home to more than 1,000 different plant and animal species.

Kelp Forest near the Channel Islands. Photo Creds: Bowen Brock

“The vertical niche space provides a unique habitat for organisms in the water column,” said Brock. “You can have anywhere from bottom feeders to fish that live in the midwater and the canopy.”

Jack Philips, an environmental studies major at UCSB and co-director of The Kelp We Breathe, is deeply interested in kelp forest conservation, influenced by the profound connection between kelp forests and the community.

The Kelp We Breathe official film poster. Photo Creds: Marco Mazza

"Seeing passionate people care deeply about these ecosystems inspired me to dive deeper and tell a story that connects emotionally with viewers," said Philips.

His recent film underscores the ecological importance of kelp forests and the personal connections people have with these underwater worlds.

"It's about creating awareness and emotional investment," said Philips. "We need more community engagement and widespread educational initiatives to preserve these forests. After all, much of the oxygen we breathe on the coast comes from algae in these kelp forests. They're essential not just for marine life, but for human life."

Jack Philips in the filmmaking process for The Kelp We Breathe. Photo Creds: Ian Kellet

These forests provide critical habitats and shelter for many aquatic organisms, serving as a pivotal ecosystem for endangered species affected by rising water temperatures.

Sunflower starfish are one important species that inhabit these giant kelp forests. According to The Nature Conservancy, they are experiencing a mass die off caused by a pathogen fueled by rising water temperatures. As the purple sea urchin's main predator, the shrinking starfish population has created an imbalance in the kelp forest ecosystem.

With nothing to keep the urchin population in check, kelp is being overgrazed, and these forests have greatly diminished in size. “I can only speak from the past 10 years, but historically, kelp forests have been declining 75% over the last 50 years in Southern California,” said Brock.

Santa Barbara’s giant kelp isn’t only important for marine life. It also serves as a food source for crustaceans, shorebirds, and other coastal invertebrates hungry for a seaweed snack. Also, it creates habitats for smaller organisms such as sand fleas and other bug-like creatures, emphasizing how pivotal this ecosystem is for coastal communities.

A curious seal floating around Santa Barbara’s Giant Kelp forests. Photo Creds: Marco Mazza

Many initiatives have begun to spring up in California, resulting in hope among coastal community members. Santa Barbara Coastal Long Term Ecological Research provides yearly tracking from satellite and firsthand data sets, constantly testing kelp degradation rates. In Northern California, efforts have been made to reintroduce sunflower starfish into kelp ecosystems to stop urchins from overgrazing.

“They started hatcheries for sunflower starfish, which are direct predators of urchins, getting them under control. Little things like this are cool, but it’s like putting a band-aid on a broken bone,” said Philips.  

Our daily actions directly shape the future of these delicate ecosystems, with climate change being the central factor driving their decline.

“My goal in making the film was to drive an emotional connection that would spring motivation to protect kelp forest ecosystems,” said Phillips.

The path forward involves mindfulness and active responsibility toward our planet, as each small effort influences lasting change. Only through a shared awareness can these underwater forests be safeguarded for years to come.