Crassostrea virginica, a species of oyster, is a keystone species that lives in the Chesapeake Bay, which is on the northeast coast of the United States. These oysters build reefs that provide a habitat to numerous species of aquatic life and help to stabilize the
coastline. In addition, these oysters filter the water around the reefs.
Based on this information, which of the following best describes how removing a keystone species like Crassostrea virginica from
an ecosystem compares to removing a species that is not a keystone species?
A. Removing a keystone species is likely to cause a less significant change in the ecosystem.
B. Removing any species, whether or not it is a keystone species, is not likely to cause a change in the ecosystem.
C. Removing any species, whether or not it is a keystone species, is likely to cause the same degree of change in the
ecosystem
D
Removing a keystone species is likely to cause a more drastic change in the ecosystem