Sea otters by Derek Hampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09 Made with a stroke of good luck en-us 2020-03-30 16:29:53 UTC 2025-05-19 08:16:36 UTC hello@padlet.com #1 What is Biodiversity of the Aquatic? derekhampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482697590 Aquatic biodiversity can be defined as the variety of life and the ecosystems that make up the freshwater, tidal, and marine regions of the world and their interactions.]]> 2020-03-30 16:46:47 UTC https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482697590 #2 Why is the Sea otter an important piece of maintaining that Biodiversity? derekhampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482778621 Sea otters increase biodiversity and primary productivity of the nearshore environment by controlling populations of grazers, sea urchins in particular, which feed on kelp.]]> 2020-03-30 17:18:39 UTC https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482778621 #4 BEFORE the Sea otter became endangered - what were the population numbers of that keystone species? derekhampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482789667 According to the website  https://www.fws.gov/ventura/endangered/species/info/sso.html it says For southern Sea otters the population index exceeded 3,090 for the first time in 2016. This likely means that the populations would have to exceed 8,400 animals in California alone.]]> 2020-03-30 17:23:08 UTC https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482789667 #3 What was the cause of the population declining in numbers and becoming endangered? derekhampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482828314 The website https://www.fws.gov/ventura/endangered/species/info/sso.html explains that the oil spills in the water destroy its insulating properties and lead to hypothermia and death.]]> 2020-03-30 17:39:25 UTC https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482828314 #5 What other populations (species) has been affected by the oil spills? derekhampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482844639 Seals, sea lions, walruses, polar bears, sea otters, river otters, beavers, whales, dolphins and porpoises, and manatees, are groups of marine mammals that may be affected by oil spills.  Oil destroys the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters, and the water repellency of a bird's feathers, thus exposing these creatures to the harsh elements.]]> 2020-03-30 17:46:15 UTC https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482844639 #6 What actions/policies can be taken/put into place to bring that keystone species back to a healthy population number level? derekhampton https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482857820 Researchers are working hard to gain a better understanding of what’s threatening sea otters so we can find ways to help them recover. The goal is development and implementation of effective, long-term management and mitigation strategies that can lead to the recovery and delisting of the species. ]]> 2020-03-30 17:52:06 UTC https://padlet.com/derekhampton/suvo05dfkg09/wish/482857820