Chapter 15, 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.