Killer whale predation on sea otters linking oceanic and nearshore ecosystems
Killer whale predation on sea otters linking oceanic and nearshore ecosystems
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DOI：
10.1126/science.282.5388.473
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发表时间：
1998-10-16
期刊：
影响因子：
56.9
通讯作者：
Doak, DF
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Estes, JA;Tinker, MT;Doak, DF
经过近一个世纪的过度捕猎恢复，阿拉斯加西部大片地区的海獭数量突然下降。虎鲸捕食的增加可能是导致这些下降的原因。海胆密度的增加和随之而来的近岸海藻床的砍伐表明，水獭的关键作用已经减少或消除。这种相互作用链可能是由近海海洋生态系统的人为变化引起的。
After nearly a century of recovery from overhunting, sea otter populations are in abrupt decline over Large areas of western Alaska. Increased killer whale predation is the Likely cause of these declines. Elevated sea urchin density and the consequent deforestation of kelp beds in the nearshore community demonstrate that the otter's keystone role has been reduced or eliminated. This chain of interactions was probably initiated by anthropogenic changes in the offshore oceanic ecosystem.