Which animal is known as the ''gardener of the ocean''?

The animal known as the ''gardener of the ocean'' is the sea otter.

Sea otters are marine mammals that play a crucial role in their ecosystem by maintaining the balance of kelp forests. They are called the ''gardener of the ocean'' because they feed on sea urchins, which in turn helps control the population of these grazers that feed on kelp. Without sea otters, the sea urchin population can increase unchecked, which leads to overgrazing of kelp forests.

Sea otters are found along the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. They have a dense, waterproof coat that helps them to stay warm in the cold water, and they use rocks to crack open the shells of their prey. Sea otters are an endangered species due to over-hunting in the past, but conservation efforts have helped to stabilize their populations.

The sea cucumber is known as the "gardener of the ocean" because it helps to fertilize the ocean floor by excreting a substance that contains nutrients and helps to create new coral reefs.

Sea cucumbers are echinoderms, which means they are related to starfish and sea urchins. They are found in all oceans of the world, from shallow tropical waters to deep-sea trenches. There are over 1,400 species of sea cucumbers, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Sea cucumbers are filter feeders, which means they eat small organisms and particles that they filter out of the water. They are also scavengers, and they will eat dead and decaying animals.

Sea cucumbers play an important role in the marine ecosystem. They help to clean up the ocean by eating dead and decaying matter. They also help to fertilize the ocean floor by excreting a substance that contains nutrients. This substance helps to create new coral reefs and other marine life.

Sea cucumbers are also a valuable food source for many animals, including humans. They are a good source of protein and other nutrients. However, sea cucumbers are being overfished, and some species are now endangered.

It is important to protect sea cucumbers and their habitat. We can do this by reducing our consumption of sea cucumbers, supporting sustainable fisheries, and protecting coral reefs.