AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -They are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on Earth. Although algal kelp forest combined with coral reefs only cover 0.1% of Earth’s total surface, they account for 0.9% of global primary productivity. Kelp forests occur worldwide throughout temperate and polar coastal oceans.

Detailed explanation-2: -There are about 30 different species of kelp worldwide. They grow in dense groupings much like a forest on land, and are found predominantly along the Pacific coast from Alaska to parts of Baja California.

Detailed explanation-3: -Answer and Explanation: The neritic zone comprises shallow water and a steady flow of nutrients, consisting of coral reefs and kelp forests. It is located over the continental shelf.

Detailed explanation-4: -Kelp forests grow predominantly along the Eastern Pacific Coast, from Alaska and Canada to the waters of Baja, California. Kelp forests are composed of rapidly growing large brown algae.

Detailed explanation-5: -Coral reefs characterize lower latitudes and tropical waters (1), kelp forests replace coral reefs in most cold and temperate waters in both hemispheres (2, 3), whereas thickets of other large brown algae occupy the cold waters around Antarctica (4).