Sea otter populations along the Pacific Coast of North America declined as a result of hunting. Sea urchins are a favoured food of sea otters. When the sea otter numbers declined, sea urchin populations increased. Sea urchin are herbivorous and feed on kelp. As a result, vast tracts of kelp forests were consumed by the urchins.

Which one of the following statements is TRUE?

Question

Sea otter populations along the Pacific Coast of North America declined as a result of hunting. Sea urchins are a favoured food of sea otters. When the sea otter numbers declined, sea urchin populations increased. Sea urchin are herbivorous and feed on kelp. As a result, vast tracts of kelp forests were consumed by the urchins. 
 
 Which one of the following statements is TRUE?

Answer

The sea urchin is a keystone species, the proliferation of which had a disproportionate impact on the entire kelp forest community.

Answer

The sea otter is a keystone species, the loss of which had a disproportionate impact on the entire kelp forest community.

Answer

The sea otter and sea urchin have a symbiotic relationship that was disrupted by sea otter declines, which then resulted in the decline of the kelp.

Answer

The sea otter and kelp have a symbiotic relationship that was disrupted by sea otter declines, which then resulted in the decline of the kelp.

Crowdly

Sea otter populations along the Pacific Coast of North America declined as a res...

Want instant access to all verified answers on learning.monash.edu?