Nikita Mehta Rose Hills
Freshwater Impact on Bull Kelp Ecosystems in Northern California
Between 2014 and 2016, Northern California experienced a series of marine heatwaves that led to the decline of bull kelp and an increase in purple sea urchin abundance, creating “urchin barrens”. These events have led to reduced biodiversity and the collapse of several fisheries, which deeply impact communities in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Previous studies suggest that freshwater inputs, such as river mouths, may help buffer climate stress for bull kelp by increasing nutrient availability via outflow. Additionally, these low salinity conditions are unsuitable for sea urchins, which protects bull kelp from being overgrazed. As marine heatwaves are expected to become more common and severe, it is crucial to understand the environmental characteristics that allow these sites to function as refugia for kelp survival and broader ecosystem biodiversity. Through field work and lab analysis, my project aims to investigate kelp growth dynamics in Northern California by studying how freshwater input impacts bull kelp growth and purple urchin distribution. This work has the potential to inform future conservation and resource management policies.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity to spend the summer doing what I am passionate about. I am deeply excited to learn more about kelp ecosystems and strengthen my skills as a marine scientist. Thank you for believing in me and my research.