This food chain is from a temperate marine kelp forest ecosystem.
giant kelp⟶purple sea urchin⟶sea otter⟶great white shark \text{giant kelp} \longrightarrow \text{purple sea urchin} \longrightarrow \text{sea otter} \longrightarrow \text{great white shark} giant kelp⟶purple sea urchin⟶sea otter⟶great white sharkName the primary consumer in this food chain.
Name the tertiary consumer in this food chain.
Suggest how the following features help the sea otter to survive and hunt:
extremely dense, waterproof underfur that traps a layer of air
Suggest how the following features help the sea otter to survive and hunt:
highly sensitive facial whiskers (vibrissae)
Suggest how the following features help the sea otter to survive and hunt:
the ability to use flat rocks held against their chests
Kelp forests are under threat from climate change and harvesting. Explain the consequences of removing large quantities of giant kelp on the balance of atmospheric gases.
