Orcas, or killer whales, are natural predators of sea otters. It has been observed that in regions where the sea otters are not present, sea urchins grow rapidly and destroy much of the natural kelp vegetation. Which of these statements is correct in this context?

AKelp is the keystone species because their survival is key to the survival of the entire ecosystem.

BSea otters cannot be considered the keystone species because they are not the top predators in the ecosystem.

CSea urchins are the keystone species because they multiply rapidly in the absence of their natural predators.

DSea otters are a keystone species as they prevent a herbivorous species from completely destroying a plant species.

The removal of a keystone species could cause their natural prey to multiply and destroy the dominant vegetation of the ecosystem. Kelp is the foundation species in the ecosystem. Sea urchins consume the kelp. If the sea urchin numbers are not kept in check by the sea otters, they will rapidly multiply and destroy the kelp vegetation. Therefore, sea otters are a keystone species as they prevent the herbivorous species from completely destroying a plant species.

~USATestprep~