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What happens to kelp forests when sea urchins are not present in the ecosystem?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
When sea urchins are not present in the ecosystem kelp forests thrive.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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How does giant otter environment impact them?
They are a vital part of the ocean's ecosystem. Without otters, sea urchins would have no predators and would overpopulate and likely destroy kelp forests, which are a food source for urchins.
How are sea urchins and kelp forests connected?
sea urchins eat kelp.
Where do urchins live?
Sea urchins live in the sea, rock pools, kelp forests, and coral reefs
Where do purple sea urchins live in nature?
Purple sea urchins live in close association with kelp forests. Kelp is their primary food.
What effect does an keystone species have on an ecosystem?
It would affect it greatly. The sea otter is considered keystone because it feeds on sea urchins, who in turn feed on kelp. Without the sea otter, sea urchin populations would rise, leading to probable destruction of the kelp forests
Describe the importance sea otters to the eco system?
Sea otters are important to the ecosystem because they help with the health and stability of the marine ecosystem. They eat sea urchins which can destroy kelp forests that other animals depend on to survive.
Where do sea urchins live?
Sea urchins live in the sea, rock pools, kelp forests, and coral reefs
Do sea urchins live in warm water?
No, atually they live in massive groups, searching for kelp and other sea grasses to munch on. A large mass of urchins can clear massive kelp forests in a short amount of time. Most urchin groups live in shallows, but some species prefer deeper waters.
What happened to the kelp forests?
In the 1800s, too many sea otters were hunted for their fur. Without sea otters, fewer sea urchins were eaten. Soon, too many sea urchins were being born. Smaller fish could not survive, because sea urchins ate their supplies of kelp. These fish were food for sea stars and crabs. The sea stars and crabs began to die out.
What are three examples of symbiotic relationships present in the kelp forest?
The kelp uses the sea urchins to keep it in check, from growing too much. However, the sea urchins eat kelp, so they destroy kelp growth. Also, sea otters eat urchins, and they live in the kelp forest.
What creates pockets of calm water near Amchitka Island in the Aleutians?
The underwater kelp forests (giant kelp) along the shore provide calmer areas for marine life. This is part of a symbiotic relationship between the kelp and the sea otters that inhabit the area. By consuming the sea urchins that would otherwise destroy the kelp, the sea otters help maintain the complex coastal ecosystem.
What kind of plankton lives in the kelp forest?
Some animals use these forests as feeding ground. The Otter for one. Some birds even dive down for food in these forests. And fish of course. They both find food and protection here.
