Killer Whale Predation on Sea Otters Linking Oceanic and Nearshore Ecosystems
Abstract
After nearly a century of recovery from overhunting, sea otter populations are in abrupt decline over large areas of western Alaska. Increased killer whale predation is the likely cause of these declines. Elevated sea urchin density and the consequent deforestation of kelp beds in the nearshore community demonstrate that the otter's keystone role has been reduced or eliminated. This chain of interactions was probably initiated by anthropogenic changes in the offshore oceanic ecosystem.
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Predators are known to have profound effects on the structure of marine communities, and have been shown capable of enhancing species diversity and altering community structure.
“Predators are known to have profound effects on the structure of marine communities, and have been shown capable of enhancing species diversity (keystone species) and altering community structure (trophic cascades) (Paine 1966, Estes et al. 1998, Rilov 2009).”
From Diet of invasive lionfish on hard bottom reefs of the Southeast USA: insights from stomach contents and stable isotopes (2011) · cites this paper as Estes et al. 1998
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- Authors
- Estes, J. A., Tinker, M. T., Williams, T. M., & Doak, D. F.
- Affiliations
- United States Geological Survey (US)
- Corresponding author
- Estes, J. A.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 1998-10-16
- Volume
- 282
- Issue
- 5388
- Pages
- 473-476
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2104474860
- Cited by
- 1,263
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 85 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 69 · 2014: 59 · 2013: 64 · 2012: 55
- FWCI
- 28.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Keywords
- killer whale predation, sea urchin density, keystone species, predator-prey interactions, western Alaska
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