Reflection

Reflection

I’m taking marine biology as a science this year, and we’re currently learning about ecosystems near the coast. I chose to focus on sea otters because they are a keystone species, a species that regulates the ecosystem it lives in, in a kelp forest ecosystem. They prevent sea urchins from eating all the algae by eating the urchins. Recently, because of oil spills and plastic pollution in their habitats, sea otters have been put in danger from plastic indigestion and lack of insulation because of oil spills. Their impact as a keystone species not only puts their population at risk, but also entire kelp forest communities. My message to viewers of my art piece is that we, as a community, must band together to help reduce and stop climate change.