In to the Deep, Produced by Graeme Gerguson, Directed by Howard Hall. It's an IMAX Presentation.  
 
  What Eats Kelp?

Many animals find kelp tasty and tender. Turban snails and some sea slugs (nudibranchs) graze on stipes while kelp bass and sea hares feed at the base. Opaleyes and half moon perch nibble on juvenile and adult plants. If not gobbled up by urchins and abalone, bits of drift kelp washed into inshore waters or deep submarine canyons may become part of another marine food chain.

 
 
  There are several species or types of kelps. The best known species is giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). It grows in the cold waters off the western coasts of North America and South America.

  
 
Kelps: Plants Of The Ocean Forest
 
Kelps are members of a diverse group of simple water plants called algae. Kelps and other large marine algae are commonly called "Seaweeds", but they are not weeds at all. These aquatic plants  
grow in the ocean attached to rocks, shells or other hard surfaces. Most seaweeds are found in tidal areas. Other species can be found growing as far down as 130 feet (40 meters) or deeper, if sunlight can reach them.
 
Kelps, a type of brown algae, are common along stretches of open coast in many parts of the world where certain conditions exist.

 

· Kelps grow only in clear temperate sea water (41º - 72º F/5º - 22º C). Compared to warm water, cool sea water contains more dissolved gases (carbon dioxide, nitrogen) detritus (decayed plant and animal matter), and other nutrients fast growing kelps need to survive. 		 

 
  · Kelps may grow at depths of 80 to 125 feet (25 to 38 meters), if sunlight can penetrate the water.
 

· Kelps also need moderate water movement. Waves, currents and upwellings from the ocean floor keep fresh, nutrient-rich sea water moving through the plants.
  
 
  · Because kelps grow where there are currents, these plants need rock beds or other hard surfaces on which to anchor.
 
Although they resemble green plants growing on land, kelps are quite different. They lack the structures associated with land plants: roots, stems, leaves flowers and seeds. One important feature kelps have in common with green land plants is their ability to convert sunlight into food (photosynthesis).
 
 
  Kelps grow best where seawater is clean and clear enough to admit sunlight. Unlike most land plants, the entire kelp plant is capable of photosynthesis and absorbing vital nutrients directly from seawater.
 

There are several different species or types of kelps. The best-known species is giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera). It grows in the cold waters off the western coasts of North America (Alaska To Baja California) and South America (Peru to Chile).

  
 
  Giant kelps rival the largest land plants in size. This species may grow to 150-200 feet (45-60 meters) in length and is sometimes called the "Sequoia of the Seas:. Under good growing conditions, the blades of giant kelps reach four feet (1.2 meters) in length and 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) in width.
 

Giant kelp is one of the fastest growing plants. During the summer months, a single giant kelp plant may grow 12-24 inches (30-61 centimeters) in twenty-four hours.

  
 
  Kelps grow in corded groves called "Forests" or "stands". Here the kelps' branch-like fronds create a dense canopy as they continue to grow across the surface of the water. Beneath this tangled brown mat exists a fascinating, diverse yet delicately balanced marine community.

 
 
 
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    How do Kelps reproduce?  
    Where in the world?  
    A Community beneath  
    A Natural resource  
 
   
 


Key Concepts :

· Kelps are part of a family of marine algae. They include some of the world's largest and fastest growing plants.

· Kelps have special structures which enable them to grow in the ocean. Kelps also need certain conditions in order to survive.

· Like green land plants, kelps perform photosynthesis.

· Large kelps create dense ocean "forests" that are home to hundred of different kinds of marine organisms.