The grassland ecosystem of Montana is being studied for its resilience as the population of its keystone species, the prairie dog, has declined in recent years. Four plots are established, two that still contain populations of prairie dogs and two that no longer have prairie dogs due to outbreaks of plague. A survey is done measuring the total number of producers (number of plants) and the diversity of producers (number of species) of each plot. The data are summarized in the table.
Based on this data, which of the following correctly describes how the total number of plant and plant species will change over time in these plots?
A - Plots 2 and 3 will show equal decline in plant and plant species due to the lack of a keystone species.
B - Plots 1 and 4 will show a decline in plant and plant species due to an increase in the number of prairie dogs consuming the producers.
C - Plots 2 and 3 will show a decline in plant and plant species, but plot 3 will show a slower decline due to a higher number of plant species.
D - Plot 3 will show the largest increase in plant and plant species over time due to the presence of the highest number of plants and plant species.
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