Catalina Island, California is known for its giant kelp forest. Algae (as a whole) produces more than 80% of the Earth’s oxygen. The kelp forest is home to many marine organisms such as the Norris Snail. Kelp can only grow on rocky surfaces and where light is still able to reach it. Because kelp’s stem, or “stipe”, is unable to hold itself up due to its flexibility, kelp has structures called “air bladders” which help the stipes and the leaves, or “blades”, float and also help the kelp grow upward. [x]