Kelp forests are experiencing extreme declines globally, yet local social-ecological factors may mediate their responses to climate perturbations. Using a combination of long-term field surveys (2016–2023) and satellite data (2004–2023), we examined the regional effects of the 2014–2016 marine heatwaves regime on kelp forest ecosystems along a 600 km latitudinal gradient in Baja California, Mexico. We documented three distinct...

Co‐culture of abalone and sea cucumber can result in benefits. This study investigated for 131 days the growth of juvenile red abalone ( Haliotis rufescens ) co‐cultured with two densities of warty sea cucumbers ( Apostichopus parvimensis ). The initial mean (± SE) shell length of 1080 red abalone was 26.74 ± 1.04 mm, with a wet weight of 5.64 ± 0.12 g. The average weight of nine sea cucumbers was 175.26 ± 2.22 g. One experime...

Abalone is one of the most important small‐scale fisheries in Mexico and is challenged by multiple stressors. For example, the loss of the native main food, Macrocystis pyrifera, and the subsequent takeover of non‐indigenous algae species represent a major threat to abalone growth and survival. In Baja California, Mexico two introduced macroalgae, Undaria pinnatifida and Sargassum horneri have become common in the past decade...