This Dive Dry with Dr. Bill video focuses on Macrocystis pyrifera or giant kelp which forms the incredible forests off the southern California coast. It consists of three separate 22 minute episodes, each focusing on a different aspect of giant kelp. These are also episodes in Dr. Bill's proposed cable TV series "Munching and Mating in the Macrocystis." The first episode outlines its morphology, classification, distribution and physical limiting factors that affect its growth, reproduction, dispersal and geographic range.

The second episode looks at giant kelp's growth, unique reproductive strategy involving two markedly different generations, its role as habitat for over 1,000 other species, its role in energy fixation and as food, and the ecological factors involved in disturbance of existing forests.

Episode three investigates its commercial uses including how giant kelp helped win World War I, the harvest of kelp, common household products manufactured using kelp derivatives such as algin, and several scientific studies including kelp as a dispersal mechanism for invertebrates, mapping giant kelp through remote sensing and a geographic information system (GIS), and using it to help identify sites for marine reserves.

This DVD is $25. Postage via first class mail is $2.50. Other options include USPS Priority Mail. State sales tax of $2.56 (10.25%) is required if shipped to a California address. My DVDs may be ordered on-line using PAYPAL with payments made to my account, bushing@post.harvard.edu. Be sure to include shipping and California state sales tax (if applicable), your mailing address and the name of the specific DVD or DVDs you are ordering. Payments made via credit or debit card on Paypal are subject to an additional charge of $2.00 due to Paypal fees.You may also send a personal check to Dr. Bill Bushing, P. O. Box 849, Avalon, CA 90704.

Note: these videos are produced on DVD-R media which is playable on most home DVD players. Verify that your player can play this format before purchase.

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This web page last updated September 29, 2010

This document maintained by Dr. Bill Bushing.
Material © 2008 Star Thrower Educational Multimedia