The video also discusses the role of sunflower stars in the community. What do you predict would be the most likely outcome if the sunflower star population increased dramatically? 1 point
a. The number of sea otters would drop.
b. The amount of kelp would decrease.
c. The number of sea urchins would drop. Energy flows from microscopic algae to sessile invertebrates to crabs to sea otters.
d. The amount of abalone would increase. Energy flows from kelp to microscopic algae to sea stars to crabs to otters.
4. Based on the information given in the video, how do you predict that a dramatic increase in the sea otter population would affect the kelp population? 1 point
a. The kelp population would increase because fewer large fish would be available to consume it.
b. The kelp population would increase because fewer sea urchins would be present to consume it.
c. The kelp population would decrease because more sunflower stars would be available to consume it.
d. The kelp population would decrease because more sea urchins would be present to consume it.
5. The video discussed the effects of the removal of sea otters on the system. What do you predict would be the most likely effect if you removed abalone instead? 1 point
a. There would be a decrease in sea otter populations.
b. There would be an increase in sea otter populations.
c. There would be an increase in octopus populations.
d. There would be a decrease in kelp.
a. The number of sea otters would drop.
b. The kelp population would increase because fewer sea urchins would be present to consume it.
d. There would be a decrease in kelp.
1. c. The number of sea urchins would drop. Energy flows from microscopic algae to sessile invertebrates to crabs to sea otters.
4. b. The kelp population would increase because fewer sea urchins would be present to consume it.
5. d. There would be a decrease in kelp.
To predict the outcomes mentioned in the questions, we need to understand the relationships between the different organisms in the marine ecosystem discussed in the video.
1. The most likely outcome if the sunflower star population increased dramatically would be:
c. The number of sea urchins would drop. Energy flows from microscopic algae to sessile invertebrates to crabs to sea otters.
Explanation: The video explains that sunflower stars are voracious predators of sea urchins. Sea urchins feed on kelp, and an increase in the sunflower star population would lead to a decrease in the sea urchin population because they would be preyed upon by the sunflower stars. This would result in a decrease in the number of sea urchins.
4. A dramatic increase in the sea otter population would affect the kelp population by:
b. The kelp population would increase because fewer sea urchins would be present to consume it.
Explanation: Sea otters are predators of sea urchins. Sea urchins feed on kelp, and when sea otter populations increase, they prey on and control the sea urchin population. With fewer sea urchins to consume kelp, the kelp population would increase.
5. If abalone were to be removed from the ecosystem, the most likely effect would be:
d. There would be a decrease in kelp.
Explanation: Abalone feed on kelp, and their removal would result in fewer grazers of kelp. As a result, the kelp population would increase because there would be less grazing pressure from abalone. Therefore, removing abalone would lead to a decrease in kelp, as there would be fewer organisms consuming it and keeping its population in check.