Welcome to another episode where we dive into the undercurrents of our world's oceans. Today, we're joined by Dr. Galloway, who will share fascinating insights into the ecosystem dynamics of the North American west coast.

Recently, a collapse in predatory sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) populations due to Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) has coincided with an explosive proliferation of sea urchin barrens, leading to a concerning decrease in kelp forests. Dr. Galloway's research tackles the potential role that recovering Pycnopodia populations could play in kelp forest regeneration by consuming nutritionally poor purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) typical of barrens.

Dr. Galloway's experiments reveal that Pycnopodia consume an average of 0.68 S. purpuratus per day, and interestingly, they seem unable to c ...