The reading and lecture argue about the cause of the decline of sea otters. The reading say that the environmental pollution is more likely to result in the dead of otters. However, the lecture showed an opposite opinion.
The reading firstly states that the levels of chemicals in the sea water are rising and the chemical pollution could threaten the otter\'s life because it damages the otter's resistance. However, the professor argues that there are no dead otters caused by chemical pollution found. The disappear of dead otters is more likely explained by fact that the predator killed and ate them. Therefore, the dead of otters is not likely caused by environmental pollution.
Then, the reading states seals and sea lions were declining and the environmental pollution not only threatened the life of otters but also affected the seal and seal lions. However, the professor argues that orca change their diet and prefer to hunt the seals, sea lions and otters. Thus the attack from predators seems more likely cause.
Last but not least, the reading states that the declination of otter is uneven and be explained by pollution hypothesis. Nevertheless, the lecture argues that the orca predates the otters and the uneven distribution of otters is relative to the access of orcas to otters. When the orcas could get access to the otters, the number of otters decreases. However, in the shallow and rocky locations where orca could not get access, the number of otters is stable.
The reading and lecture argue about the cause of the decline of sea otters. The reading says that the environmental pollution is more likely to result in the death of otters. However, the lecture shows an opposite opinion.
The reading firstly states that the levels of chemicals in the sea water are rising and the chemical pollution could threaten otters’ life because it damages otters’ resistance. However, the professor argues that there are no dead otters caused by chemical pollution found. The decline of otters is more likely to be explained by the fact that the predator killed and ate them. Therefore, the death of otters is not likely caused by environmental pollution.
Then, the reading states that the environmental pollution not only threatened the life of otters but also affected the life of seal and sea lions. However, the professor argues that it was not the case. Instead, he said that orca change their diet and prefer to hunt the seals, sea lions and otters. Thus the attack from predators seems more likely the cause.
Last but not least, the reading states that the declination of otter is uneven and could be explained by pollution hypothesis. Nevertheless, the lecture argues that the orca predates the otters and the uneven distribution of otters is probably due to orcas’ access to otters. When orcas could get access to otters, the number of otters decreases. However, in the shallow and rocky locations where orca could not get access, the number of otters is stable.