Monterey Bay | Exploring Oceans

National Geographic

16 Mar 200904:36

Summary

TLDRThe Monterey Bay in California, renowned for its dramatic coastline and powerful waves, is home to the vast Monterey Canyon, supporting a diverse marine ecosystem. From tiny krill to the colossal migrating whales, the area teems with life, influenced by the canyon's deep upwelling currents. The region also hosts the world's largest bony fish, the mola, and dense kelp forests, which are vital habitats for various sea creatures. Overfishing once threatened species, but the establishment of a marine sanctuary in 1992 has led to increased research, appreciation, and conservation efforts, making Monterey Bay a hub of marine biodiversity.

Takeaways

🌊 The coast of California around Monterey Bay is famous for its rugged shoreline and powerful waves.
🏞️ Monterey Canyon, adjacent to the coast, is one of the world's largest undersea canyons, supporting a diverse marine ecosystem.
🦋 The canyon's upwelling currents create a rich environment for life, including tiny krill and migrating bing whales.
🐳 Gray whales feed on millions of tiny red krill in the waters of Monterey Bay, creating a feeding spectacle.
🦑 Humboldt squid, which can grow up to 2 meters long, use color and speed to evade predators in the area.
🐟 The mola, the world's largest bony fish, feeds on jellyfish and is also found near nutrient-rich kelp beds.
🦦 Otters, with the densest fur in the animal kingdom, have a high metabolic rate requiring them to eat about 20% of their body weight daily.
🌿 Monterey Bay is an ideal location for giant kelp, which can grow up to 50 meters high and houses a variety of marine creatures.
🌳 The Elorn Slooh estuary, at the curve of Monterey Bay, is a rich seasonal habitat for hundreds of species of birds and marine life.
🐟 Overfishing in the 20th century nearly depleted populations of sardines, salmon, and halibut in Monterey Bay.
🛡️ In 1992, the federal government designated a marine sanctuary around Monterey Bay, leading to increased research and protection of the ecosystem.

Q & A

What is the coast of California around Monterey Bay known for?
-The coast of California around Monterey Bay is known for its spectacular rocky shoreline and its fierce waves, which are just a few kilometers off its coast.
What significant feature begins off the coast of Monterey Bay?
-Off the coast of Monterey Bay begins the slope of an undersea canyon that ranks among the largest in the world, known as the Monterey Canyon.
What types of marine life does the Monterey Canyon support?
-The Monterey Canyon supports a richness of marine life, from tiny shrimp-like krill to the migrating bing whales who feed on them.
Why does the gray whale appear to be in a 'blood bath' while feeding?
-The gray whale appears to be in a 'blood bath' while feeding because it is actually feeding on millions of tiny red krill that thrive in the waters of the Monterey Canyon.
What is special about the upwelling currents in the Monterey Canyon?
-The deep upwelling currents in the Monterey Canyon are significant because they contribute to the massive daily vertical migration of krill, providing food for predators both near the surface and in the depths.
What unique behavior does the Humboldt squid exhibit when threatened?
-When threatened, the Humboldt squid flashes with color and jets itself through the water to evade predators.
What is the mola and what does it usually feed on?
-The mola is the world's largest bony fish, which usually travels in the open sea and lives on a diet heavy with jellyfish, but it also lingers near nutrient-rich kelp beds.
Why do sea otters have such a high metabolic rate?
-Sea otters have no blubber and such a high metabolic rate that they must daily eat about 20% of their body weight, which is why they are often seen foraging in kelp beds.
What makes Monterey Bay an ideal place for giant kelp?
-Monterey Bay is ideal for giant kelp because it has a rocky seabed, plenty of nutrients, and calm waves, which are all necessary for the kelp to thrive and grow up to 50 meters high.
What is the significance of the Elorn Slooh estuary in Monterey Bay?
-The Elorn Slooh estuary is significant because its shallow branches support marshes and mud flats, which serve as a critical habitat for hundreds of species of birds and marine life.
How did the federal government help protect the marine life in Monterey Bay?
-In 1992, the federal government designated 7,500 square kilometers of ocean and seafloor around Monterey Bay as a marine sanctuary, which has helped protect the diverse ecosystem and marine wildlife.
What impact have the studies in Monterey Bay had on the understanding and protection of its marine life?
-The studies in Monterey Bay have led to new understanding and appreciation of the diverse ecosystem, resulting in greater protection for the area and its marine wildlife.

Outlines

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🌊 Diverse Marine Life of Monterey Canyon

The Monterey Canyon, one of the world's largest underwater canyons, is situated off the coast of California near Monterey Bay. This ecosystem supports an array of marine life, from minuscule krill to the massive bing whales that feed on them. The unique upwelling currents create a 'blood bath' appearance as gray whales feed on the abundant red krill. The Humboldt squid, capable of changing color to evade predators, also resides in these waters. Additionally, the mola, the world's largest bony fish, is known to frequent the area, feeding on jellyfish and lingering near nutrient-rich kelp beds.

🐾 Otter Dependency and Kelp Forests

Sea otters are highlighted as mammals with the densest fur in the animal kingdom, which is crucial given their lack of blubber and high metabolic rates. They must consume approximately 20% of their body weight daily to survive. The Monterey Bay area is ideal for the growth of giant kelp, often referred to as the 'redwoods of the sea,' which can reach heights of up to 50 meters. Kelp forests require a rocky seabed, ample nutrients, and calm waves, and they provide habitat for a variety of marine creatures, including sea slugs, purple sea urchins, and tiny octopuses.

🌳 Elorn Slooh: A Rich Seasonal Estuary

The Elorn Slooh, a seasonal estuary located at the curve of Monterey Bay, is described as equally rich in biodiversity. Its shallow branches support marshes and mud flats, which are critical habitats for hundreds of species of birds and marine life. This area, along with the rest of Monterey Bay, has been shaped by its history of overfishing in the early 20th century, which nearly depleted populations of sardines, salmon, and halibut.

🛡️ Marine Sanctuary and Conservation

In response to the overfishing crisis, in 1992, the federal government designated 7,500 square kilometers of ocean and seafloor around Monterey Bay as a marine sanctuary. This action has facilitated extensive research into the diverse ecosystem of the area, leading to a deeper understanding, appreciation, and ultimately, greater protection for Monterey Bay and its marine wildlife. The sanctuary status has been instrumental in the conservation efforts and the recovery of the marine ecosystem.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Monterey Canyon

Monterey Canyon is an underwater canyon located off the coast of California near Monterey Bay. It is one of the largest submarine canyons in the world and plays a crucial role in supporting a diverse ecosystem. The deep-sea valleys within the canyon are home to a wide range of marine life, from tiny krill to large whales. The canyon's upwelling currents bring nutrient-rich waters to the surface, fostering the abundance of life in the region.

💡Krill

Krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans that are a key food source for many marine animals, including whales. In the video, krill thrive in the nutrient-rich waters of Monterey Canyon due to the deep upwelling currents. The krill engage in a massive daily vertical migration, which provides sustenance for predators both near the surface and in deeper waters. This abundance of krill is vital to the rich biodiversity of the region.

💡Humboldt squid

The Humboldt squid, also known as the jumbo squid, is a large, predatory squid species that can grow up to 2 meters in length. In the video, it is highlighted for its unique behavior of flashing colors and jetting through the water when threatened, which helps it evade predators. The Humboldt squid is a significant part of the marine ecosystem in Monterey Canyon, contributing to the complex food web.

💡Mola

The Mola, or ocean sunfish, is the world's largest bony fish. It typically inhabits the open sea and has a diet that is heavy in jellyfish. The video mentions that the Mola also lingers near kelp beds in Monterey Bay, which are rich in nutrients. This behavior connects the Mola to both the open ocean and the kelp forest ecosystems, illustrating its role in the broader marine environment.

💡Kelp beds

Kelp beds are underwater areas where large, brown algae known as kelp grow. These 'forests' are essential habitats for many marine species. In Monterey Bay, the kelp beds are described as ideal for giant kelp, which can grow up to 50 meters high. The video emphasizes the importance of rocky seabeds, ample nutrients, and calm waves for the thriving of kelp, which in turn supports a diverse array of marine life, including sea slugs, octopuses, and otters.

💡Upwelling currents

Upwelling currents are oceanographic phenomena where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface. In Monterey Canyon, these currents are crucial as they bring nutrients from the ocean depths, supporting the growth of plankton and krill, which in turn sustains a wide variety of marine species. The presence of upwelling currents in the canyon is a key factor in the rich biodiversity found in Monterey Bay.

💡Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a federally protected marine area established in 1992, covering 7,500 square kilometers of ocean and seafloor around Monterey Bay. The sanctuary was created in response to the overfishing that nearly decimated populations of sardines, salmon, and other species in the early 20th century. The video highlights how this protection has allowed the diverse ecosystem to recover and thrive, making Monterey Bay one of the most studied parts of the ocean.

💡Gray whale

The gray whale is a large marine mammal known for its long migrations. In the video, a gray whale is depicted feeding on millions of krill in Monterey Bay, a process that may appear chaotic but is essential for the whale's sustenance. The gray whale's presence in the bay underscores the importance of Monterey Canyon's ecosystem in supporting large marine predators and the overall health of marine life.

💡Elkhorn Slough

Elkhorn Slough is a seasonal estuary located at the curve of Monterey Bay. It features shallow branches that support marshes and mudflats, which are critical habitats for hundreds of species of birds and marine life. The video mentions Elkhorn Slough as an equally rich environment to Monterey Bay, highlighting its role in the broader ecosystem by providing a breeding and feeding ground for many species.

💡Overfishing

Overfishing refers to the practice of catching too many fish at once, leading to the depletion of fish populations. The video discusses how overfishing in the early 20th century nearly wiped out sardines, salmon, and other species in Monterey Bay. The establishment of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was a response to this crisis, aimed at protecting the area's marine life and allowing the ecosystem to recover.

Highlights

The coast of California around Monterey Bay is known for its spectacular rocky shoreline and fierce waves.

An undersea canyon begins just a few kilometers off the coast, ranking among the largest in the world.

The Monterey Canyon supports a rich diversity of marine life, from tiny krill to migrating humpback whales.

Gray whales feed on millions of tiny red krill that thrive in the waters due to the canyon's deep upwelling currents.

The Humboldt squid, which can grow up to 2 meters long, lives within the canyon and uses color-changing and jet propulsion to evade predators.

The mola, the world's largest bony fish, travels in open seas and feeds heavily on jellyfish but also lingers near nutrient-rich kelp beds.

Sea otters have the densest fur in the animal kingdom and must eat about 20% of their body weight daily due to their high metabolic rate and lack of blubber.

Monterey Bay is an ideal location for giant kelp, often referred to as the redwoods of the sea, which can grow up to 50 meters high.

Giant kelp requires a rocky seabed, plenty of nutrients, and calm waves to thrive and provides habitat for an array of marine creatures.

At the curve of Monterey Bay lies the Elorn Slooh, a rich seasonal estuary with marshes and mud flats critical for hundreds of species of birds and marine life.

Overfishing in the early 20th century nearly wiped out populations of sardines, salmon, and halibut in Monterey Bay.

In 1992, the federal government designated 7,500 square km of ocean and seafloor around Monterey Bay as a marine sanctuary to protect the diverse ecosystem.

Studies in Monterey Bay have led to new understanding, appreciation, and greater protection for the area and its marine wildlife.

Monterey Bay is one of the most studied parts of the ocean, contributing significantly to marine science.

The marine sanctuary helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem, supporting a wide range of species.

The protection measures have shown positive effects on the recovery of fish populations and overall marine biodiversity.

The unique combination of geological features and marine life in Monterey Bay makes it a hotspot for scientific research and conservation efforts.