Question
Otters are a key species in the kelp forest. They eat sea urchins and other small animals that graze on kelp. The urchins have few other predators. As the environment changes, otter populations are declining as they face disease, pollution, and toxic algae blooms. What will happen in this ecosystem if the number of otters continues to drop?
A.
The kelp forests will shrink.
B.
Sea urchin populations will decrease.
C.
Sea urchins will begin to die off.
D.
The kelp forests will become denser.
A.
The kelp forests will shrink.
B.
Sea urchin populations will decrease.
C.
Sea urchins will begin to die off.
D.
The kelp forests will become denser.
Answers
Answered by
GPT 3.5
A. The kelp forests will shrink.
As otter populations decline, there will be less predation on sea urchins and other grazers that feed on kelp. This will lead to an increase in sea urchin populations, which will in turn overgraze on the kelp forests, causing them to shrink. This can have ripple effects throughout the ecosystem, impacting other species that depend on the kelp forests for food and habitat.
As otter populations decline, there will be less predation on sea urchins and other grazers that feed on kelp. This will lead to an increase in sea urchin populations, which will in turn overgraze on the kelp forests, causing them to shrink. This can have ripple effects throughout the ecosystem, impacting other species that depend on the kelp forests for food and habitat.