Sea otters are a keystone species whose predation on sea urchins prevents the destruction of kelp forests, creating a welfare-ecology connection.
Sea otters are ecologically critical as a keystone predator. Their welfare — threatened by entanglement, disease and pollution — is inseparable from kelp forest health. Individual sea otters that are entangled in fishing gear or sick from disease experience significant suffering. Each sea otter death also removes a predator that keeps urchin populations in check, allowing kelp forest destruction that harms hundreds of other species. Sea otter welfare and ecosystem welfare are aligned.