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Encyclopedia of Earth Activate Your Mind! Search, Collect, and Share | SMILE WERC Projects - California Sea Otter Surveys and Research Sea otter research by scientists at the Santa Cruz Field Station of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) focuses on this smallest marine mammal’s population biology and its role as a keystone species in the nearshore marine community. WERC scientists conducting long-term research in California and Alaska seek to answer complex ecological questions. How do sea otters impact near-shore marine food webs? Why is California’s threatened sea otter population is growing so slowly? What are the consequences of the rapid sea otter decline in the Aleutian Islands? We work with state, federal, and local partners throughout the species’ range, utilitizing tools and expertise from ecology, chemistry, geography and other disciplines. Browse the menu to learn about sea otter biology and the annual California sea otter population survey.

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