Sea Otters, the engineers

Once on the brink of extinction along the California Central Coast, USA, sea otters have made a significant comeback thanks to an extensive reintroduction program. They have recolonized Elkhorn Slough, California's second-largest estuary. Currently, about 100 sea otters inhabit the slough, where they feed, nest, and nurse. Now researchers have found that their insatiable appetite for plant-eating marsh crabs has contributed to stabilizing the area's marshlands. Since the reintroduction of otters, they have effectively controlled the crab population, which helps maintain the stability of the salt marshes and creek banks. Salt marshes are among the most endangered ecosystems on Earth, and they are vital for carbon storage and coastal shoreline protection. The accompanying images depict the researchers, the studies, the environment, and the species involved in this intricate web.