Bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)

A large brown algae anchored to the bottom by large, root holdfasts. It sends slender lumbs to the surface where fronds form dense canopies. From under the water, the canopy undulates in the surface currents flashing shafts of light to depths below. invertebrate sponges, worms, brittle stars and sea cucumbers find protection among the holdfasts. At the bottom of the forest, rockfish and lingcod feed; at the top, smelt and perch, while others pick organisms off the length of the stems.