Trouble in the tide pools: Rapid die-off of sea stars and urchins foretells long-term change
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 - 13:00
in Earth & Climate
In August 2011, scientists at the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory walked into their labs to a strange, disturbing sight: Thousands of purple sea urchins and other marine invertebrates were dead in their tanks, which are fed directly by seawater. Outside, the tea-colored ocean washed up carcasses of red abalone, large sea stars, and football-sized, snail-like chitons.