Producers:
* Kelp: The primary producer in this ecosystem, providing energy through photosynthesis.
Herbivores (Primary Consumers):
* Sea urchins: Graze on kelp, sometimes causing "urchin barrens" where kelp forests disappear.
* Sea otters: Predators of sea urchins, helping to keep urchin populations in check and maintain kelp forests.
Secondary Consumers:
* Sea lions: Predators of sea urchins, fish, and other marine animals.
* Orcas: Apex predators that prey on sea lions, seals, fish, and other marine mammals, including smaller whales.
Tertiary Consumers:
* Great whales (e.g., humpback whales, blue whales): Filter feeders, primarily consuming krill and other small organisms. They can also occasionally eat fish or squid.
Other Important Organisms:
* Krill: Tiny crustaceans that feed on phytoplankton and are a primary food source for many larger animals.
* Fish: Various fish species, including rockfish, cod, and herring, occupy different trophic levels and contribute to the food web.
* Phytoplankton: Microscopic algae that form the base of the marine food web, providing energy for krill and other small organisms.
Food Web Interactions:
* Kelp → Sea urchins → Sea otters → Orcas
* Phytoplankton → Krill → Great whales
* Kelp → Sea urchins → Sea lions → Orcas
* Fish → Sea lions → Orcas
* Krill → Fish → Sea lions → Orcas
* Fish → Great whales
Key Concepts:
* Trophic Levels: The position an organism occupies in the food web.
* Food Chains: Linear sequences of who eats whom.
* Energy Flow: Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, with only about 10% being passed on.
Note: This is a simplified representation of a complex marine ecosystem. There are many other organisms and interactions within a kelp forest, and the relationships between these species can be dynamic and influenced by factors such as climate change, ocean acidification, and fishing practices.