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Science 16 October 1998:
Vol. 282. no. 5388, pp. 473 - 476
DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5388.473
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Reports

Killer Whale Predation on Sea Otters Linking Oceanic and Nearshore Ecosystems

J. A. Estes, * M. T. Tinker, T. M. Williams, D. F. Doak

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.

J. A. Estes, Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, A-316 Earth & Marine Sciences Building, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA. M. T. Tinker, Glenside Ecological Services, 79 High Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8Z 5C8, Canada. T. M. Williams, Department of Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA. D. F. Doak, Environmental Studies Board, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jestes{at}cats.ucsc.edu

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