Assignment Task:
Q1. Have all populations of sea lions across Alaska been declining?
Q2. What are some of the factors Dr. Trites discusses that may have led Steller's sea lion populations to decline off the coast of Alaska over the last few decades?
- List density-dependent factors here
- List density-independent factors here
Q3. What do Stellar sea lions eat? How does the type of fish affect young stellar sea lions?
Q4. Why would the shift in the community of fish harm the population of Stellar sea lions?
Q5. Describe the next experiment scientist should conduct to test how the polluck fishery affects Stellar sea lions? Describe the control and experimental groups.
Q6. Why can understanding the food web of an ecosystem help us unravel issues like population decline of a species?