Informing Kelp Restoration in Central California

A group of six hikers walking through a grassy meadow towards a forest of tall evergreen trees under a clear blue sky.

Informing Kelp Restoration in Central California

Mentor & Lab: Dr. Mark Carr & Dan Malone, Raimondi-Carr Lab

Positions: 1 intern

Tentative dates: 6/23/25 – 8/29/25

Project Location: Monterey Bay and Coastal Campus

Project Background: We are conducting field studies to evaluate the potential of sea urchin removal along the ecotone between remnant kelp forests and urchin barrens to (1) reduce the incursion of urchins into remnant forests and (2) possibly expand forests into adjacent barrens. If determined feasible and cost effective, this approach might be adopted by the state of California for future kelp restoration projects.

Intern duties: If the CAMINO intern is already AAUS Scientific Diving certified, the intern would participate with a team of divers in the implementation of the urchin removal experiment at various locations around the Monterey Peninsula. The intern would be trained in field sampling and urchin removal and spend several days each week in the field. If the intern is not AAUS Scientific Diving certified, the intern would participate in the processing of sea urchins in the lab (gonadal somatic indices – GSI). For either role, the intern will test hypotheses for the spatial relationship between urchin GSI and algal abundance and urchin density. Because urchins with more gonads (higher GSI) are more susceptible to predation, knowledge of this spatial relationship will enhance our understanding of the potential role of predators (e.g., sea otters) in controlling urchins.

Intern qualifications: Scientific diving certification will determine how the intern participates on the project.

Do you recommend the intern(s) volunteer in your lab during Spring quarter?
This is not necessary, but if interns are available near the end of spring quarter, they could be incorporated into the project sooner.