Description
Sea otters are good indicators of ocean health. In addition, they are a keystone species, offering a stabilizing effect on ecosystem, controlling sea urchin populations that would otherwise inflict damage to kelp forest ecosystems. The kelp forest ecosystem is crucial for marine organisms and contains coastal erosion. With the concerns about the imperiled status of sea otter populations in California, Aleutian Archipelago and coastal areas of Russia and Japan, the last several years have shown growth of interest culturally and politically in the status and preservation of sea otter populations.Sea Otter Conservation brings together the vast knowledge of well-respected leaders in the field, offering insight into the more than 100 years of conservation and research that have resulted in recovery from near extinction. This publication assesses the issues influencing prospects for continued conservation and recovery of the sea otter populations and provides insight into how to handle future global changes.- Covers scientific, cultural, economic and political components of sea otter conservation- Provides guidance on how to manage threats to the sea otter populations in the face of future global changes- Highlights the effects that interactions of coastal animals have with the marine ecosystem
Table of Contents
1. The Conservation of Sea Otters: A PreludeShawn Larson and James L. Bodkin2. Natural History, Ecology, and the Conservation and Management of Sea OttersJames A. Estes3. Historic and Contemporary Status of Sea Otters in the North PacificJ.L. Bodkin4. Challenges to Sea Otter Recovery and ConservationBrenda E. Ballachey and James L. Bodkin5. Sea Otter Conservation GeneticsShawn Larson, Katherine Ralls and Holly Ernest6. Evaluating the Status of Individuals and Populations: Advantages of Multiple Approaches and Time ScalesD.H. Monson and L. Bowen7. Veterinary Medicine and Sea Otter ConservationMichael J. Murray 8. Sea Otters in Captivity: Applications and Implications of Husbandry Development, Public Display, Scientific Research and Management, and Rescue and Rehabilitation for Sea Otter ConservationGlenn R. VanBlaricom, Traci F. Belting and Lisa H. Triggs9. The Value of Rescuing, Treating, and Releasing Live-Stranded Sea OttersAndrew Johnson and Karl Mayer10. The Use of Quantitative Models in Sea Otter ConservationM. Tim Tinker11. First Nations Perspectives on Sea Otter Conservation in British Columbia and Alaska; Insights into Coupled Human-Ocean SystemsAnne K. Salomon, Kii'iljuus Barb J. Wilson, Xanius Elroy White, Nick Tanape and Tom Mexsis Happynook12. Shellfish Fishery Conflicts and Perceptions of Sea Otters in California and Alaska Lilian P. Carswell, Suzann G. Speckman, and Verena A. Gill13. Conservation in PracticeLinda M. Nichol14. Synopsis of the History of Sea Otter Conservation in the United StatesGlenn R. VanBlaricom
