So glad to see you take us to interesting places! As a Califonia Native who does their best to learn about the ocean, I'm really surprised that this is the frist time I'm hearing the lack of sunflower stars contributing to the "urchine barren problem". I feel like urchin barrens are always brought up in the context of the lack of sea otters, and that it mostly took place is the 1850s. Very interesting to learn that in addition to the what ever effect the lack of ottters has, that much more recently Sunflower stars were also important.
That’s so true, it’s a common misconception that sea otters are the only animals controlling urchin populations but in reality it’s a much more complex situation. Thanks for interest and care! This is a very important subject.
Here in Monterey Bay the sunflower star is locally extinct. The urchin barrens are evident. When I was in high school in late 80s I distinctly remember on Carmels main city beach at minus tide a GIANT sunflower star near the size of a small wagon wheel! This is no exaggeration! It was stranded on the sandflats by the outgoing tide. It was around 1988 as I recall. I wish I had a camera!
Haven’t seen the adults in Oregon where I usually go clamming in netarts, but hope is on the horizon. While wading through the rocky kelp area during low tide we spotted multiple baby sun star. We didn’t get any pictures as we are not trying to disturb them, it definitely nice to see them not waste away.
So glad to see you take us to interesting places! As a Califonia Native who does their best to learn about the ocean, I'm really surprised that this is the frist time I'm hearing the lack of sunflower stars contributing to the "urchine barren problem". I feel like urchin barrens are always brought up in the context of the lack of sea otters, and that it mostly took place is the 1850s. Very interesting to learn that in addition to the what ever effect the lack of ottters has, that much more recently Sunflower stars were also important.
That’s so true, it’s a common misconception that sea otters are the only animals controlling urchin populations but in reality it’s a much more complex situation. Thanks for interest and care! This is a very important subject.
It's so great you found one! I miss seeing these in California.
There have been recent sightings of babies in Northern California! Hopefully we will start more adults around in the next few years.
Here in Monterey Bay the sunflower star is locally extinct. The urchin barrens are evident. When I was in high school in late 80s I distinctly remember on Carmels main city beach at minus tide a GIANT sunflower star near the size of a small wagon wheel! This is no exaggeration! It was stranded on the sandflats by the outgoing tide. It was around 1988 as I recall. I wish I had a camera!
Haven’t seen the adults in Oregon where I usually go clamming in netarts, but hope is on the horizon. While wading through the rocky kelp area during low tide we spotted multiple baby sun star. We didn’t get any pictures as we are not trying to disturb them, it definitely nice to see them not waste away.
That’s amazing! I really want to take a trip up there to find some babies myself 🤓