kelp, a type of seaweed, is sea urchins' favorite food. sea urchins are sea otters' favorite
tood. if the population of sea ofters in an area suddenly decreased, which one of the
following best describes what would likely follow?
a. the sea urchin population would go up, reducing the amount of kelp. fish that
normally live in the kelp forests along the shore would have less food and protection
from predators, so their populations would go down as well.
b. the sea urchin population would go up, increasing the amount of kelp. fish that
normally live in the kelp forests along the shore would have more food and
protection from predators, so their populations would go up as well.
c. a sudden decrease in the number of sea otters would mean less predators, so all the
other species in the area would increase in population, improving the balance of the
ecosystem