Answer: Sea otter is the pioneer species in the kelp forest as it regulates and controls the population of other species in the kelp forest.
Step-by-step explanation:
If sea otters are hunted and their population is brought to extinction then this will cause major harm the ecosystem of the kelp forest and it will disturb the ecological balance in the kelp forest. The herbivorous animals consumed by the sea otters will increase in population and they will consume a lot of vegetation in the forest. The kelp forest which forms the coastline will not remain effective in providing protection against the storms to the neighboring areas.