Question

read the passage. then answer the question below.
bull kelp, a species of large seaweed, forms thick kelp forests along the coast of new zealand. kelp forests are home to many species, including the new zealand sea lion. these sea lions hunt octopus and squid that live in the kelp forest.
the individual kelp stalks have strong holdfasts, or root - like structures, that cling tightly to the rocks on the seafloor. small invertebrates such as sea stars, crabs, and snails can live on or around the holdfasts.
which of the following best describes a community in a new zealand kelp forest?
the rocks and the bull kelp
a group of new zealand sea lions
the sea stars, the crabs, and the snails

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: "the rocks and the bull kelp" includes a non - living component (rocks) and a single species (bull kelp). A community consists of multiple living species, so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: "a group of New Zealand sea lions" is a population (a group of the same species), not a community (which includes multiple species).
3. Analyze the third option: "the sea stars, the crabs, and the snails" are multiple different species living in the same area (around the holdfasts of the kelp), which fits the definition of a community.

Answer:

the sea stars, the crabs, and the snails