Question

sea otters are considered a keystone species because they: eat kelp, keeping kelp forests healthy eat sea urchins, preventing destruction of kelp forests provide food for killer whales are the largest animals in the ocean which of the following would most likely happen if a keystone species is removed? the ecosystem would remain unchanged other species would adapt instantly the entire ecosystem structure could collapse nothing would happen because other predators take over keystone species can include: only predators only plants only decomposers predators, prey, or ecosystem engineers

Explanation:

1. Sea otters eat sea urchins. Sea urchins can over - graze kelp forests. By controlling sea urchin populations, sea otters prevent destruction of kelp forests, making them a keystone species.
2. Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem. Removal of a keystone species can lead to the collapse of the entire ecosystem structure as they play crucial roles in maintaining balance.
3. Keystone species can be predators (like sea otters), prey, or ecosystem engineers. They are not limited to just one type of organism in the food web.

Answer:

1. Eat sea urchins, preventing destruction of kelp forests
2. The entire ecosystem structure could collapse
3. Predators, prey, or ecosystem engineers