Keystone Species Analysis

Words: 360
Pages: 2

The keystone species concept applies with the kelp and sea otters, because in the article states that when the sea otters are removed the sea urchins decline and the microalgae flourish. This applies to the concept because the concept of keystone specie focus on a specie that has a disproportionately large effect to the environment relative to its abundance. In this experiment when the sea urchins where removed, the kelps biomass rate is higher than when the sea urchins where present. The sea otters are a keystone specie because after their removal they are affecting the ecosystem. In addition, the author also states in the discussion that the sea otters, as keystone predators, clearly mediate major changes in nearshore marine communities,