Question

Describe why biodiversity increased with the introduction of sea otters in California over the last fifty years

Answer 1

Sea otters affected biodiversity because they control the populations of sea urchins, which endanger kelp forests. Kelp forests are important because they convert sunlight to living material, and they also provide food and habitat to sea creatures. Kelp is important in sustaining the diversity of ecosystems. Additionally, sea otters may also be accountable for the large size of abalones in California.

Answer 2

Sea otters are predators of clams, mussels, sea urchins, marine snails, crabs, and abalone. Therefore their introduction ensured the checking of the population of small invertebrates and other invasive species in the ecosystem. This safeguarded a balance in the ecosystem since algae, other primary producers were able to replenish. Other species in the food web also became well balanced in biomass.