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 for numerous species of aquatic life and help 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 any species, whether or not it is a keystone species, is likely to cause the same degree of 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 a keystone species is likely to cause a more drastic change in the ecosystem.
D. Removing a keystone species is likely to cause a less significant change in the ecosystem.

Removing a keystone species like Crassostrea virginica would likely result in a more drastic change to the ecosystem than removing a non-keystone species. Keystone species have outsized effects on ecosystem structure, biodiversity, and ecological balance. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Explanation:

Based on the information provided, removing a keystone species like Crassostrea virginica from the Chesapeake Bay would likely cause a more drastic change in the ecosystem compared to removing a species that is not a keystone species. Keystone species, such as Crassostrea virginica, have a disproportionate effect on their ecosystems, as they provide critical services like creating habitats, stabilizing coastlines, and filtering water. The removal of such a species would lead to significant changes in the structure and diversity of the ecosystem, affecting numerous other species and the balance of the ecological community.

For example, similar to the keystone species Pisaster ochraceus and the banded tetra, their absence would allow the population of their prey or dependent species to change substantially, thereby altering the species composition and potentially reducing biodiversity. The intricate relationships and the flow of nutrients within the ecosystem could also be severely disrupted.