EBK BIOLOGY
6th Edition
ISBN: 9780134819150
Author: Maier
Publisher: VST
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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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Shrimp fishing off the coast of Georgia was closed in 2001, due to a drastic reduction in the shrimp population. Landings of blue crab plummeted in 2002 and 2003, as five years of drought and greatly reduced freshwater flow from underground aquifers led to increased salinity in coastal estuaries. These habitats between open ocean and fresh water are “nurseries” for many marine animals. Speculate about possible causes for the decline in shrimp and blue crab populations.
Shrimp fishing off the coast of Georgia was closed in 2001, due to a drastic reduction in the shrimp population. Landings of blue crab plummeted in 2002 and 2003, as five years of drought and greatly reduced freshwater flow from underground aquifers led to increased salinity in coastal estuaries. These habitats between open ocean and fresh water are the “nurseries’ for many marine animals. Using information you learned in this lab, speculate about possible causes for the decline in shrimp and blue crab populations.
If sea otters are removed from the kelp forest ecosystem, sea urchins will be able to live and reproduce with no main predator. Whole “herds” of sea urchins have been known to sweep across the ocean floor, gobbling kelp stands at a rate of up to 30 feet per month and leaving barren sea floor in their wake. Once barren, the entire kelp forest ecosystem is destroyed and can no longer support the diversity of life once found there. The EVIDENCE above supports the CLAIM that which animal along the Central California coast is considered a keystone species?
Chapter 16 Solutions
EBK BIOLOGY
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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