Question

it is largely thanks to the physical impact that kelp species have on their environment that kelp forest ecosystems are able to provide food and shelter to such a wide variety of plants and animals. when these foundation species are disturbed, however, there can be cascading effects impacting the entire ecosystem. among the many organisms that live in kelp forests are primary consumers that feed on the kelp. sea urchins are particularly voracious consumers of kelp. in an undisturbed kelp forest ecosystem, predators like sea otters, sea stars, and california sheephead fish keep the sea urchin population in check. but when predator populations are diminished, sea urchin grazing increases. when sea urchins graze in large numbers, they can eat away at a kelp forest until theres almost nothing left. this creates a deforested area called an urchin barren. based on the passage, would you expect a kelp forest or an urchin barren to have greater biodiversity? choose the best answer and explanation. because kelp are photosynthetic organisms, a kelp forest likely has greater biodiversity than an urchin barren. because it is not home to sea otters, sea stars, or california sheephead fish, an urchin barren likely has greater biodiversity than a kelp forest. because its kelp provide both food and a protective habitat for many different species, a kelp forest likely has greater biodiversity than an urchin barren. because it is home to a large number of sea urchins, an urchin barren likely has greater biodiversity than a kelp forest.

Explanation:

The passage states that kelp forests provide food and shelter to a wide variety of plants and animals. In contrast, urchin barrens are deforested areas created when sea urchins over - graze the kelp. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat. Since kelp forests support many different species, they likely have greater biodiversity.

Answer:

Because its kelp provide both food and a protective habitat for many different species, a kelp forest likely has greater biodiversity than an urchin barren.