marine Science Sea Otter Questions?
1. What is the mission of the Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program?
2. How do you report a stranded otter (three steps)?
3. What is so unique about a sea otter’s coat and why is it vital for their survival?
4. What does the diet of a sea otter consist of?
5. Approximately how many Southern Sea Otters are there now?
# List the steps of the chain reaction, starting with over-fishing in the open waters, that has led to the destruction of the coastal ecosystems off the coast of western Alaska.
# List at least two forms of evidence to support the hypothesis that killer whales are preying upon sea otters.
# A “keystone predator” is one that exerts an important regulating effect on other organisms in the community. Removing a keystone predator will result in a decrease in species diversity. Explain how the sea otter functions as a keystone predator.
# Write a Formal Hypothesis for each of the following relationships discussed in the article.
* overfishing and seal populations (See the box below for some helpful hints.)
* killer whales and sea otter populations
* sea otter populations and kelp forests









