In 1997, which species is the apex predator in the food chain? kelp sea urchins killer whales sea otters

Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
4th Edition
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Chapter54: Ecosystems And Global Change
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1ITD
icon
Related questions
Question
Since 1972, Dr. Jim Estes had been studying a food chain of kelp -> urchins -> sea otters, and then
in the early 1990s orcas began eating the sea otters. The data collected by Dr. Estes are shown.
Panel A shows sea otter abundance around four different islands from 1972 to 1997.
Panel B shows the amount of sea urchins (sea urchin biomass) in 1987 and 1997.
Panel C shows the amount of kelp that sea urchins ate over a 24- hour period (grazing intensity) in
1991 and 1997.
Panel D shows the number of kelp plants within a specific area (density of kelp) in 1987 and 1997.
The thickness of the arrows illustrates the strength of the effect one species has on the species
below it in the food web.
Sea otter abundance
-Amchitka L
N. Adak I.
Kagalaska i.
L Riskal.
Sea urchin biomass
Grazing intensity
Total kelp density
1972
1985
1989
1993
1997
Year
In 1997, which species is the apex predator in the food chain?
No. per 0.25 m
% loss 24hr
gms 0.25m
Otter No. (% max. count)
Transcribed Image Text:Since 1972, Dr. Jim Estes had been studying a food chain of kelp -> urchins -> sea otters, and then in the early 1990s orcas began eating the sea otters. The data collected by Dr. Estes are shown. Panel A shows sea otter abundance around four different islands from 1972 to 1997. Panel B shows the amount of sea urchins (sea urchin biomass) in 1987 and 1997. Panel C shows the amount of kelp that sea urchins ate over a 24- hour period (grazing intensity) in 1991 and 1997. Panel D shows the number of kelp plants within a specific area (density of kelp) in 1987 and 1997. The thickness of the arrows illustrates the strength of the effect one species has on the species below it in the food web. Sea otter abundance -Amchitka L N. Adak I. Kagalaska i. L Riskal. Sea urchin biomass Grazing intensity Total kelp density 1972 1985 1989 1993 1997 Year In 1997, which species is the apex predator in the food chain? No. per 0.25 m % loss 24hr gms 0.25m Otter No. (% max. count)
In 1997, which species is the apex predator in the food chain?
kelp
sea urchins
killer whales
sea otters
O O
Transcribed Image Text:In 1997, which species is the apex predator in the food chain? kelp sea urchins killer whales sea otters O O
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Ecological interactions
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:
9781305389892
Author:
Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Concepts of Biology
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:
9781938168116
Author:
Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:
OpenStax College