In the northeastern Pacific ocean, sea otters occur at a relatively low abundance. By preying upon sea urchins, sea otters maintain underwater kelp (large algae) "forests", which would otherwise be decimated by the herbivorous sea urchins. The kelp forests supply food for a wide variety of marine organisms, as well as providing refuge from predation and nursery habitat for juveniles. Based on this, what type of species best describes sea otters?

Question

Biology

Kyle Cannon

30 August, 09:36

In the northeastern Pacific ocean, sea otters occur at a relatively low abundance. By preying upon sea urchins, sea otters maintain underwater kelp (large algae) "forests", which would otherwise be decimated by the herbivorous sea urchins. The kelp forests supply food for a wide variety of marine organisms, as well as providing refuge from predation and nursery habitat for juveniles. Based on this, what type of species best describes sea otters?

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Answers (1)

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Oprah · Answer 1

Secondary Consumer

Explanation:

Secondary Consumer is a level of a species in food chain where this species consumes primary consumer species, which are species that consumes food producer in the food chain such as kelp and plants. A balanced food chain should have lower amount of high-tiered consumer compared to low-tiered one as to prevent imbalance by overconsumption. Based on the provided description of sea otters, they fit this description.