otters into areas of previously unoc- cupied habitat (24). Surveys conducted in

Question

otters into areas of previously unoc- cupied habitat (24). Surveys conducted in 1967 by the California Department of Fish and Game revealed that throughout the sea otters' range pre- ferred sea otter forage items were re- duced in number and restricted to protected habitat as compared with habitat outside the range (25). Also, an increased diversity in sea otter forage items has been reported in areas long inhabited by sea otters. This is apparently the result of reduced avail- ability of preferred sea otter forage items (24). The sea otter may also be important in restoring kelp beds (and associated species of animals) in southern Cali- fornia. Sea otters in California com- pletely remove large sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) from areas by predation, permitting luxuri- ant development of the Nereocystis- Pterygophora (brown algae) associa- tion (4). Recent increases in sea urchin populations are correlated with kelp bed reduction (5). Although kelp bed reductions are obviously related to phenomena more recent than the dis- appearance of sea otters (26), the re establishment of sea otters should

Explanation / Answer

Sea otters are a keystone species that protect the kelp forests by being damaged by sea urchins.As mentioned in the article above we find that sea otters help to restore kelp beds in southern california by removing the sea utters on which they feed.Reduction in sea urchins increases the population of brown algae.When these sea otters are removed or their population reduces,there occurs an increase in sea urchins that reduce the size of kelp beds and other communities such as brown algae.Species that start their food web from brown algae are also adversely affected.In other words, we can say that a keystone species i.e sea otters' reduction has a greater impact on the reduction of kelp beds and other communities associated with it.

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