Scott S. Gabara

Abstract A primary goal in the study of producer–herbivore interactions is to characterize the tradeoffs between primary producer growth and defense. Across the Aleutian Island Archipelago, the widespread decline in sea otters has resulted in reduced predation on sea urchins, which has led to increases in urchin populations, the formation of urchin barrens, and ultimately to overgrazing of much of the region’s kelp forests.