“A few otters took refuge in Elkhorn Slough,” Silberstein remembers, “and they discovered that it was like an open buffet.”
Elkhorn Slough is a special place. Snaking 7 miles inland from Moss Landing, the protected tidal marshland encompasses over 4,200 acres of diverse ecosystems.
Southern Sea Otters, an endangered species, forage, rest and play at Moss Landing Harbor near Elkhorn Slough. . The research paper sums up a project that unfolded over a decade in Monterey’s local living laboratory – Elkhorn Slough. Brent Hughes, a marine biologist at Sonoma State who previously studied at UC Santa Cruz and Moss Landing Marine Laboratory, led the study. Their findings show how reintroducing a top predator can improve the health and longevity of an ecosystem.
Beheshti got involved with the study in late 2012. She describes it as a “labor of love.” With an “army of undergrads” from UC Santa Cruz in tow, Beheshti woke up at 4 a.m. to make the pilgrimage to Elkhorn Slough every two weeks for five years during her Ph.D. They cleaned and collected data from 50 experimental plots, half of which were inhabited by sea otters.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rainbow provides breathtaking sight in Elkhorn amid Nebraska's tornado destructionAmidst the chaos and destruction left by a massive and powerful tornado in Elkhorn, a breathtaking sight has emerged, reminding Nebraska residents of nature's beauty and resilience.
Read more »
Michelin adds 5 restaurants to California GuideMichelin added five new Southern California restaurants to its California guide on Tuesday.
Read more »
8 North Coast adventures from California’s Redwood Coast to Southern OregonFrom towering redwoods to dramatic rocky coastline, the remote stretch along the California-Oregon border offers a spectacular escape from civilization. Here are eight must-see stops along the way.
Read more »
Biden expands 2 national monuments in California significant to tribal nationsPresident Joe Biden has expanded two culturally significant California landscapes: the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in Southern California and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California
Read more »
Biden expands 2 national monuments in California significant to tribal nationsPresident Joe Biden has expanded two culturally significant California landscapes: the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in Southern California and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Northern California.
Read more »
California’s surfboard-mooching sea otter has returned to Santa Cruz for the summerOtter 841, California’s most ornery sea mammal, has returned to waters off Santa Cruz. Authorities warn surfers and swimmers to steer clear of the creature.
Read more »