The Ecological Role Of Echinoderms In The Environment

Echinoderms are very significant in the environments they inhabit. They demonstrate critical ecological roles in marine habitats, such as controlling algae growth, feeding other species (marine and terrestrial) and acting as hosts for numerous symbiotic organisms. Furthermore, as a keystone species in many marine ecosystems, their numbers can radically alter entire ecosystems.
Sea urchin populations play a large role in the functioning of kelp forest ecosystems, with profound effects (positive and negative) on the kelp community structure. They help control kelp population, yet destructive grazing of an uncontrolled urchin population can have a negative damaging effect over time, creating vast areas with no kelp (urchin barrens).
Amphioxus