What is the relationship between water clarity and sea urchin survival?

Name: _______________________________________________________Effects of the Environment on KelpKelp is a large seaweed that typically has a long, tough stalk with broad leaves called frondsdivided into strips. Kelp has “air bladders” which help it float upright toward the water’s surface.Some kinds grow to a very large size and form underwater “forests” that support a largepopulation of animals as many invertebrates feed on them. With this knowledge, you willdetermine how abiotic factors like water temperature, water clarity, carbon dioxide, and oxygenaffect the kelp since they form the base of food pyramids as producers.Do your research or useprior knowledge to answer the following questions.Q1. What is the relationship between CO2and O2for kelp?

Get answer to your question and much more

Q2. What is the relationship between temperature and kelp productivity?

Get answer to your question and much more

Water clarity is a measure of how far down light can penetrate through the water column. … For example clearer water allows more sunlight to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. The vegetation in turn produces oxygen provides habitat for fish and shellfish and provides food for waterfowl fish and mammals.

How does kelp affect sea urchins?

These animals feed on the holdfasts that keep kelp anchored to the bottom of the ocean and algae that are abundant in kelp forests. Sea urchins will often completely remove kelp plants by eating through their holdfasts. Other invertebrates found in kelp forests are sea stars anemones crabs and jellyfish.

How can otters live in the water?

The playful North American river otter is well adapted for semi-aquatic living. The mammals have thick protective fur to help them keep warm while swimming in cold waters. They have short legs webbed feet for faster swimming and a long narrow body and flattened head for streamlined movement in the water.

How far do otters go from water?

They Are Strong Swimmers

See also what does earths name mean

23 In a single dive a river otter can travel as deep as 60 feet.

How do sea otters maintain homeostasis?

Although sea otters store body fat they do not accumulate body fat as copiously as other marine mammals. Thus in order to maintain homeostasis in their marine environment sea otters rely heavily on the heat energy supplied by their rapid metabolism and thus require a regular supply of food.

How does oxygen affect kelp?

When low-oxygen events occur Leary will be able to track their movements through the kelp forest. … So after low-oxygen waves move through the kelp forest they may leave pockets of hypoxic water along the bottom altering and compressing fish habitats.

What is the relationship between oxygen and kelp productivity?

Despite their short lives by plant standards kelps siphon huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere—what scientists call “primary productivity.” They take carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into sugar fuel with the help of sunlight and water releasing oxygen back into the air.

How does carbon dioxide affect kelp?

As carbon dioxide levels rise in the atmosphere more of the gas is dissolved into the oceans making it more acidic. Along with warmer oceans this is already having a devastating impact on coral reefs and seaweed ecosystems.

How do aquatic mammals get water?

DOLPHINS and other sea-dwelling mammals can obtain water from their food and by producing it internally from the metabolic breakdown of food. … Most of the blood plasma including water and small molecules like salts passes through the filter but the larger molecules as well as the blood cells are held back.

Why do whales need salt water?

Whales migrate based on the seasons and their needs. To access their food they may find themselves in brackish water (water with a salt content lower than that of sea water) or even in freshwater. Some species adapt to changes in water salinity. … The change in salinity is believed to be an advantage for this species.

How do whales get fresh water?

Instead they get low-salt water from what they eat or manage to produce it on their own. Whales for example have the specialized kidneys but need far less water than land mammals. Whales get water mostly from the small sea creatures like krill that form much of their diet.

Why do otters hold up their babies?

First male otters sometimes hold pups ransom to force their mothers to give up some of their food. … A male approached a pup floating on the surface while its mother was diving for food. The male forced the pup under water as if trying to drown it.

See also what is a cofactor matrix

Why do otters hug?

One reason why otters hold hands is to avoid drifting away from each other in the water. Otters have a fear of losing their family members while they are sleeping or relaxing. Another reason why otters hold hands is the fear of losing their female partner to another male.

Are otters friendly?

Otters are friendly and social with their family members notably when they don’t have to worry about basic needs like food supply. Yet otters aren’t friendly towards other species and may even be aggressive in some cases.

Which animal Cannot breathe in water?

Whales cannot breathe underwater because they are mammals and not fish. This means that their breathing organs are lungs rather than gills.

How thick is sea otter fur?

Instead of blubber sea otters have the densest fur of any mammal. Their fur is so dense there are about a million hairs in every square inch of their body. Besides just being extremely dense there are also two layers to their fur making their fur 1.5 inches thick when dry.

Why do otters have special flaps that close off their nostrils and ears?

Sea otters have good eyesight above and below the water. The nostrils and ears close when underwater. … Whiskers sense vibrations in the water. This comes in handy when hunting for prey.

How do otters affect the environment?

Sea otters are a keystone species meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. … By maintaining healthy kelp forests sea otters also indirectly help to reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide a prevalent greenhouse gas as kelp absorbs and sequesters carbon.

Does pollution affect otters?

Pollution stresses sea otters

In California they were considered extinct until 1938 when a group of around 50 was found outside of Big Sur. … According to the National Ocean Service oil spills affect otters’ ability to insulate leading to hypothermia.

What would happen if river otters went extinct?

They eat sea urchins and other invertebrates that graze on giant kelp. Without sea otters these grazing animals can destroy kelp forests and consequently the wide diversity of animals that depend upon kelp habitat for survival.

How are sea otters affected by climate change?

If sea otter populations decline sea urchin and other prey species populations increase and graze on more of the kelp forests—often to the point of destroying them. Degraded or destroyed kelp forests and seagrass beds are a significant problem because they are critical to combatting climate change.

Decoding Cute Sea Otter Behaviour | Ocean Stories

Why do otters hold hands when they sleep?

The Dark Side Of Otters

Sea Otters Hold Hands To Survive The Dangers Of The Open Ocean | BBC Earth