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Washington, D.C.May 20, 2026
Featured photograph courtesy Maya Munstermann.
Maya Munstermann is a marine ecologist and National Geographic Explorer who investigates the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate change. Right now, she’s focused on how marine heatwaves and sea urchin dynamics impact the health of California’s vital kelp forests. Bull kelp is an American keystone species; it engineers ecosystems and has sustained communities in the United States for centuries. Munstermann’s work is at the intersection of advanced genomics, field research and data science, aimed at protecting biodiversity in both terrestrial and marine environments. The Kashia Band of Pomo Indians are key partners of these efforts, bridging ecological science with Indigenous knowledge to support the conservation of keystone bull kelp.
Early in her career, Munstermann observed the rapidly changing landscape of California kelp forest ecosystems. “[They] were changing faster than scientists could study them,” she recalls. Beginning in 2013, a cluster of events led to the collapse of over 90 percent of California’s kelp forests. A disease killed off sea stars that normally eat sea urchins, allowing the urchin population to explode and eat nearly all the kelp that remained following their weakening by sea temperature rises. Marine heat waves followed, preventing remaining kelp regrowth.
“I was motivated to contribute to the broader scientific effort to understand the drivers of these changes, why they unfolded as they did, and how we might improve our ability to anticipate or mitigate similar ecosystem disruptions in the future.”
The results of her team’s research have implications for both marine and human life. Maya, as a Tribal employee, and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians are testing different climate conditions and farming techniques to optimize uni (sea urchin gonad) production, “helping build the Tribe’s capacity to support marine food sovereignty after years of denied access to traditional gathering grounds.” The team’s research expands into Indigenous fire stewardship, and how practices on land could benefit coastal waters, in addition to running experimental trials on abalone. Specifically, they are investigating their diet requirements for sustainable captive rearing, as populations are starving with the loss of kelp — their main food source.
“This partnership has shown me how ecological conservation can work synergistically with values, food systems and Tribal sovereignty.”
National Geographic Explorer Maya Munstermann diving in Monterey.
Photograph courtesy Maya Munstermann
Earlier in her career, Munstermann developed a massive global database to identify the specific ecological traits that put over 25,000 vertebrate species at the highest risk of extinction. Her goal was to analyze ecological roles lost with the elimination of certain species. “While the loss of an individual bird species is very concerning, the broader implications are more profound: such declines threaten not only biodiversity but also the essential ecosystem functions these species provide,” she explains. For example, the California condor is an emblem for conservation, but Munstermann’s work underscores the consequences of losing the scavenging trait, like elevating the potential for disease transmission to both wildlife and humans.
With support from the National Geographic Society, Munstermann is digging deeper into what specific genetic traits allow bull kelp patches to exhibit their resilience. “We predict that the environmental conditions in some areas are less favorable for urchins, and therefore, allow for some kelp recovery without the intense herbivory pressure.”
(Related story: Diving to preserve an ancient, women-led Japanese fishing tradition)
She’s been amazed at marine life’s capacity to recover. “It is both surprising and encouraging to see that, despite intense grazing pressure from sea urchins, kelp is still able to recover in a few select areas.” Her preliminary fieldwork demonstrates bull kelp’s capacity for growth — some blades Munstermann monitored grew an additional 6 to 12 inches in just three or four days.
Urchins are equally impressive. Even with the stressors of warming oceans and low food availability, sea urchins’ ability to thrive is surprising. “Adult urchins can suppress their metabolism to ‘wait out the storm’ until conditions are favorable,” Munstermann highlights. “As food becomes available (drift algae or biofilms etc.), even in stressful warm conditions, purple urchins can produce enough gonadal tissue and gametes to contribute to the next generation.”
The relationship between the species is nuanced. While purple sea urchins have contributed to the collapse of kelp forests, they are also native and important herbivores in the ecosystem. “The complete elimination of urchins from kelp forests would be detrimental to ecosystem function. Marine heatwaves have become more common and more intense due to human-induced climate change,” highlights Munstermann. “That is the primary reason kelp forests have been pushed out of balance.”
Since kelp forests were nearly decimated a decade ago in northern California, small patches of kelp have returned to the coastline. Munstermann’s work will continue from these optimistic data points, focusing on areas of recovery to identify what traits have enabled or supported sturdy systems. “In a ‘normal’ kelp forest ecosystem, kelp and urchins exist harmoniously,” says Munstermann, “and we can already see signs of small patches rebounding.”
About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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