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:

• A population refers to a single species in an area; here we have multiple species plus rocks, so this is incorrect.
• A community includes all living organisms in an area; the garibaldi and purple sea urchins are living components that form part of the kelp forest community.
• An ecosystem includes all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components in an area; the fish, urchins (biotic) and rocks (abiotic) are all part of the kelp forest ecosystem.

Answer:

• part of a community
• part of an ecosystem