Answer :
Final Answer:
A five-degree increase in ocean temperature off the coast of Washington caused sea stars to stop feeding on clams in the rocky intertidal zone, leading to the clams quickly becoming the dominant species in the intertidal zone, and subsequently reducing the diversity of invertebrate species in this habitat by half.
Explanation:
The observed shift in the intertidal community dynamics can be attributed to the role of keystone species and their interactions. Keystone species play a disproportionate role in maintaining the structure and diversity of an ecosystem. In this scenario, both clams and sea stars are keystone species, each exerting significant influence over the ecosystem.
Sea stars typically control the population of clams by feeding on them, preventing clams from becoming overly abundant. However, the increase in ocean temperature caused sea stars to stop feeding on clams. This disruption in the predator-prey relationship allowed the clam population to surge, leading to their dominance in the intertidal zone. As clams outcompeted other invertebrates for space and resources, the diversity of invertebrate species in the habitat decreased by half.
The clams' dominance is a result of their adaptive advantage in the changed environmental conditions. Clams, being adapted to colder waters, thrived in the warmer temperatures that hindered the sea stars' predatory behavior. This cascade effect on the ecosystem highlights the intricate balance maintained by keystone species interactions.
In summary, the disruption in predator-prey dynamics caused by the increase in ocean temperature led to the dominance of clams and subsequent decline in invertebrate diversity in the intertidal zone. This emphasizes the critical role of keystone species in shaping and maintaining the ecological equilibrium of an ecosystem.
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