The role of predation in regulating sea urchin populations in eastern Canada

In this review, the effects of predators on the distribution, abundance and behaviour of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis at each life history stage are examined and the potential for predatory control is evaluated. It is concluded that our understanding of interactions between this species and its predators is insufficient to support any generalizations about the role of predation in regulating populations. Carefully designed field and laboratory experiments are required to rigorously test hypotheses about the effects of predators under realistic conditions, and to identify critical life history stages. Numerical modelling is a promising but underutilized approach.