How did the smaller sea otter population affect the pacific coast ecosystems?

The decline of the smaller sea otter population significantly disrupted Pacific Coast ecosystems by allowing sea urchin populations to explode. With fewer sea otters to control their numbers, sea urchins overgrazed kelp forests, leading to their degradation. This loss of kelp not only affected marine biodiversity by reducing habitat for various species but also impacted coastal fisheries and the overall health of marine ecosystems. The decline in kelp forests created a cascading effect, demonstrating the critical role sea otters play in maintaining ecological balance.