Large swaths of ocean floor once inhabited by kelp have been laid to waste by voracious purple sea urchins. A pair of new studies by UC Santa Cruz scientists help explain why. 

Large swaths of ocean floor once inhabited by kelp have been laid to waste by voracious purple sea urchins. A pair of new studies by UC Santa Cruz scientists help explain why.&nbsp;

Breaking news from the Bay Area and throughout California.

Breaking news from the Bay Area and throughout California.

KQED On Demand

KQED NOW

KQED DYNAMIC

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone; and engage audiences to share their stories.

KQED

Satellite Images Reveal Dramatic Decline of Kelp Forests Off California Coast

KQED newscast for Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM

KQED Newscast

KQED newscast for Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM

KQED newscast for Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Satellite Images Reveal Dramatic Decline of Kelp Forests Off California Coast

KQED

Recent clips