Shooting For The Stars
Ivanna Arrizon Elizarraras (graduate student)
2026
Department
Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology
Lab:
Sunflower sea stars are a keystone predator in Pacific coast kelp forest ecosystems. Sunflower sea stars begin life as microscopic, free-swimming larvae that later settle onto the seafloor and develop into adults. The sea star shown here is a 34-day-old larva, a developmental stage that is particularly sensitive to environmental stressors that can reduce survival and affect how many sea stars make it to adulthood. In recent years, sea star wasting disease, combined with rising ocean temperatures, has caused dramatic population declines, leaving the species nearly extinct across California. In healthy kelp forests, adult sunflower sea stars help control purple sea urchin populations, preventing urchins from overeating kelp. As sunflower sea stars have disappeared, sea urchins have contributed to the loss of more than 96% of Northern California’s kelp forests. By understanding how rising ocean temperatures affect sunflower sea stars, we can take informed action to protect our kelp forests and support sea star recovery. |
