Question

what did the removal of sea otters by whaling cause in the ecosystem according to james estes?

• increase in kelp growth
• trophic cascade with unexpected effects
• decline in sea urchin populations
• stability in the food web

question 8
1 pts
what did robert paine emphasize as important regarding apex predators in ecosystems?

• they are less important than herbivores
• ignoring their impact can lead to mistakes
• they only impact herbivore populations
• they have no role in regulating ecosystems

Explanation:

For the first question: James Estes' research on sea otters showed that removing them (via whaling) allowed sea urchin populations to explode, which overgrazed kelp, triggering a trophic cascade with far-reaching, unexpected ecosystem effects. The other options are incorrect: kelp growth decreased, sea urchins increased, and the food web became unstable.
For Question 8: Robert Paine's work (including his keystone species concept) highlighted that apex predators have critical ecosystem roles; ignoring their impact leads to flawed ecological understanding and management. The other options contradict his findings, as he showed apex predators are vital, regulate more than just herbivores, and shape ecosystem stability.

Answer:

1. Trophic cascade with unexpected effects
2. Ignoring their impact can lead to mistakes