Biology: Science for Life with Physiology (6th Edition) (Belk, Border & Maier, The Biology: Science for Life Series, 5th Edition)
6th Edition
ISBN: 9780134555430
Author: Colleen Belk, Virginia Borden Maier
Publisher: PEARSON
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Textbook Question
Chapter 16, Problem 1AAATB
Off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, areas dominated by large algae, called kelp, are common. These “kelp forests” provide homes for small plant-eating fishes, clams, and abalone. These animals in turn provide food for crabs and larger fishes. A major predator of kelp in these areas is sea urchins, which are preyed on by sea otters. When sea otters were hunted nearly to extinction in the early twentieth century, the kelp forest collapsed. The kelp were only found in low levels, while sea urchins proliferated on the seafloor. Use this information to construct a simple food web of the kelp forest. Using the food web, explain why sea otters are a keystone species in this system.
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Sea otters, Enhydra lutris, are predators of sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus. Sea urchins, in turn, feed on kelp. A study was conducted to determine the effect that Enhydra lutris has on kelp biodiversity. To do so, three bays that have had sea otter populations for varying amounts of time were assessed. Two different types of kelp were studied: a perennial kelp, Laminaria groenlandia, and other annual kelps. The results are shown in the graph below. Which of the following is not a conclusion that can be made from this study?
a) Enhydra lutris is an important component of the kelp community.
b) Removal of Enhydra lutris leads to the collapse of Stronylocentrotus franciscanus populations.
c) In the absence of predation, Laminaria groenlandia outcompetes annual kelps.
d) Strongylocentrotus franciscanus prefers Laminaria groenlandia to annual kelps.
Chapter 16 Solutions
Biology: Science for Life with Physiology (6th Edition) (Belk, Border & Maier, The Biology: Science for Life Series, 5th Edition)
Ch. 16 - Prob. 1LTBCh. 16 - Compare and contrast the species interactions of...Ch. 16 - Prob. 3LTBCh. 16 - Current rates of species extinction appear to be...Ch. 16 - According to the generalized species-area curve,...Ch. 16 - Prob. 6LTBCh. 16 - Prob. 7LTBCh. 16 - Which of the following is an example of a...Ch. 16 - Prob. 9LTBCh. 16 - Prob. 10LTB
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