California removed millions of purple urchins; 55 acres of kelp forest returned

Beneath the waves off Southern California, a once-lush underwater forest had been reduced to something resembling a desert. Kelp that had provided shelter and food for fish, crabs and marine mammals had disappeared, leaving behind rocky reefs covered by hungry purple sea urchins. Then, in 2013, conservationists and fishermen began tackling the problem from the seafloor, one urchin at a time. Seven years later, more than 55 acres of kelp forest had returned, bringing marine life back with it, reports NOAA Fisheries website. Scroll down to read the details.When Kelp forests disappearKelp forests are among the most productive ecosystems in the ocean. They provide habitat for fish and invertebrates while supporting marine mammals and other wildlife.But Southern California's kelp forests have faced years of pressure from environmental damage.