Food Web of Virgin Islands National Park
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Keystone Species
The long spined sea urchin is found in the reefs of the Caribbean and Florida Keys. It can also be seen in the reefs of the Virgin Islands. A keystone species is a species that has an effect on the ecosystem that is greater than what would be expected based on their abundance. A keystone species can be a predator at times, though not always. The removal of a keystone specie could cause the ecosystem to drastically change. The sea urchin is food to many organisms, including the ever popular sea turtle. In the Virgin Islands National Park, you will be able to find Hawksbill sea turtles swimming about. If the long spined sea urchin was removed, the Hawksbill sea turtle could lose a source of food. The Hawksbill is already an endangered specie and removing one of its main food sources would cause it to decline faster. Also, the long spined sea urchin’s main use is to control algal growth. The removal of the sea urchin would cause algal to become overpopulated and cause an imbalance in its ecosystem.
(Photo above)
http://blog.oceancaresolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/urchin..black_.jpg
(Photo above)
http://blog.oceancaresolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/urchin..black_.jpg