Question

Please help with these marine bio questions!!!

3. List the steps of the chain reaction, starting with over-fishing in the open waters, that has led to the destruction of the coastal ecosystems off the coast of western Alaska.
5. List at least two forms of evidence to support the hypothesis that killer whales are preying upon sea otters.
12. A "keystone predator" is one that exerts an important regulating effect on other organisms in the community. Removing a keystone predator will result in a decrease in species diversity. Explain how the sea otter functions as a keystone predator.

Answer 1

@mrdoldum

Answer 2

@foreverjennnicole These are a bit too specific for my knowledge of marine bio. It has been nearly a decade since I have done any real studies in this area. However, I'll give a bit of guidance:

For two, evidence would be visual records, stomach contents of the orcas, behavior of otters when the orcas are around, etc. For 3, if a keystone predator is removed, what usually follows is an explosion in one of the prey species population that pushes out other prey species.

I really do not know enough about the coastal areas of Alsaska to help with 1.

Answer 3

I don't either, it's really frustrating. I'm in a virtual class and my teacher gives absolutely no resources, so I have to solidly depend on the internet. It's been tough trying to figure these out. I still have more questions I can't find!! But I really appreciate your help.

Answer 4

@foreverjennnicole I would guess that the start of the over-fishing is a reference to killing too may predators that has led to the poor coasts along Alaska because one "prey" species has pretty much taken over.

Answer 5

Well I do know that overfishing is fishermen catching more fish than they're supposed to, but I don't understand how that affects the coastline.