Question
100%
F X
Sea urchins are highly competitive herbivores that eat kelp. Sea otters eat a variety of marine invertebrates, including sea urchins.
The table contains information from a 1995 study about the kelp and sea urchin populations around two islands in Alaska. Sea otters live in the
waters around these islands.
Location
Island 1
Island 2
Average Population Density
(number per 0. 25 m2)
Kelp
Sea Urchins
3.9
24.6
6.6
25.4
What are the most likely short-term effects of removing sea otters from the areas around these islands?
• A. Sea urchin density would increase, and kelp density would increase.
• B. Sea urchin density would increase, and kelp density would decrease.
O c. sea urchin density would decrease, and kelp density would increase.
• D. Sea urchin density would decrease, and kelp density would decrease.
S RESET
Soud Fahed Abdulla Mahmoud Al Raeesi, Growth: Science 9-12: for use with NGSS Question #
ID#***01
Intl 2013
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Answer
B. Sea urchin density would increase, and kelp density would decrease.