Question

read the passage. then answer the question below.

giant kelp is one of the largest species of seaweed. forests of giant kelp grow in the cold, clear water off california. kelp forests provide shelter for many organisms.

garibaldi fish defend territories at the base of kelp stalks. purple sea urchins live on the rocks that cover the seafloor. california sea otters float on the surface, resting as they hold onto kelp fronds to stay in one place.

in a california kelp forest, the garibaldi, the purple sea urchins, and the rocks make up which of the following? select all that apply.

a population
part of a community
part of an ecosystem

Explanation:

1. Population: A population is a group of individuals of the same species. Here, garibaldi, purple sea urchins are different species, and rocks are non - living. So they don't form a population. So the "a population" option is incorrect.
2. Community: A community is all the different populations (of living organisms) in a particular area. Garibaldi (a species), purple sea urchins (a species) are part of the living organisms in the kelp forest community. So they are part of a community.
3. Ecosystem: An ecosystem includes all the living (biotic) components (like garibaldi, purple sea urchins) and non - living (abiotic) components (like rocks) in an area. So the garibaldi, purple sea urchins (biotic) and rocks (abiotic) are part of an ecosystem.

Answer:

• part of a community
• part of an ecosystem