|
25. Sea Cow The disappearance of Stellers sea cow from the Bering and Copper is lands by 1768 has long been blamed on intensive hunting. But its dis appearance took only 28 years from the time Steller first described the species, a remarkably short time for hunting alone to depopulate the is lands, especially given the large populations initially reported. However, by 1750, huntershad also targeted nearby sea otter populations . Fewer otters would have allowed s ea urchin populations on which the otterspreyed to expand and the urchinsgrazing pressure on kelp forests to increase. Sea cows were totally dependent on kelp for food, and within a decade of the onset of otter hunting Steller noted that the is lands sea cows appeared malnourished. 1. Which of the following can be inferred from the pas s age about kelp forests in the Bering and Copper is lands between 1750 and 1768? A. They were reduced significantly. B. They disappeared entirely from the region. C. They were the primary food source for sea otters . D. They were harvested in record numbers by humans E. They increased pressure on sea urchin populations. 2. According to the pas s age, it is likely that during the m id-1700s, s ea urchin populations near the Bering and Copper is lands A. were diminished by sea cow predation | 
