The Relation Between Lobster Abundance, Sea Urchins, and Kelp Beds
- 1 May 1972
- journal article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
- Vol. 29 (5) , 603-605
- https://doi.org/10.1139/f72-104
Abstract
When subtidal communities are disturbed and sea urchin populations expand, they frequently overgraze their food supply, eliminating large seaweeds from considerable areas. The hypothesis is advanced that the lobster is a key species, controlling sea urchin populations in eastern Canada, and that reduction of lobster populations below a critical density has led to overgrazing of seaweeds in many places.Keywords
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