Micro Ecosystems-Kelp Forests

Kelp is towering brown algae that grows close to the shore. These literal underwater forests provide food and shelter for thousands of different species of marine life. As powerful as this ecosystem is, it can also be very fragile if the conditions are right. Sea urchins consume kelp and can destroy kelp forests in no time if left unchecked. The hero of this story is the friendly, unassuming sea otter, a keystone species that eats sea urchins. But the otter has its own threats to deal with as killer whales and humans hunt otters for food and pelt.

With a partner, you will team up to create a beautiful kelp forest and fight to maintain this lively, yet fragile ecosystem. Don't let the sea urchins thrive in your ecosystem or else your forest will be history. Score points by building sets of diverse wildlife in your kelp forests. Work together to score enough points by the end of 4 rounds to beat the game.