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What happens to kelp forests when sea urchins are not present in the ecosystem?
When sea urchins are not present in the ecosystem kelp forests thrive.
Where do purple sea urchins live in nature?
Purple sea urchins live in close association with kelp forests. Kelp is their primary food.
Where do urchins live?
Sea urchins live in the sea, rock pools, kelp forests, and coral reefs
How are sea otters a keystone species and what role do they play in their ecosystem?
Sea otters are considered a keystone species because they have a significant impact on the health and balance of their ecosystem. They play a crucial role in controlling the population of sea urchins, which are herbivores that feed on kelp forests. By preying on sea urchins, sea otters help maintain the health and diversity of kelp forests, which in turn provide habitat and food for many other species in the ecosystem. Without sea otters, the unchecked population growth of sea urchins can lead to the destruction of kelp forests and disrupt the entire ecosystem.
Do sea otters eat sea urchins?
Yes they smash them on their chest with stones and eat the insides, which is also eaten by humans. If you ever eat Uni at a Sushi restaurant that is sea urchin
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.
What are the predators of bull kelp?
The predators of bull kelp are sea urchins.
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.
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 is an example of a key stone species?
An example of a keystone species is the sea otter. Sea otters help maintain the health of kelp forests by controlling sea urchin populations, which in turn allows the kelp to flourish. Without sea otters, sea urchins can overgraze kelp forests, leading to a cascade of negative effects on the entire ecosystem.
Why do sea urchins cause problems for kelp forests?
They can cause problems for the kelp by sticking to it and feeding off there energy source. Also by not letting go and causing the kelp to sink to the bottom and not get the sun light it needs.
