Reading Comprehension Question couldn't find any satisfying explanation online

Exotic insect pests can produce both short-and long-term effects on forest ecosystems. Shortterm effects include the disturbances directly associated with the action of the pest, which may cause the defoliation, loss of vigor, or death of trees. Long-term effects are primarily mediated by changes in tree species composition and the consequent alterations of forest structure, productivity, and nutrient uptake. Exotic pests are more efficient than most abiotic disturbances (e.g., fire or wind) at producing long-term changes in species composition. Pests often target specific tree species and, if they become established, they usually remain as permanent components of the ecosystem. Shifts in forest species composition ramify through the ecosystem in many ways because tree species have different, often unique properties.

The author of the passage mentions the “unique properties” of tree species primarily in order to help explain

A. why pests tend to target specific tree species

B. why pests can have long-term effects on entire ecosystems

C. how pests contribute to shifts in forest species composition

D. how pests are able to become established in an ecosystem

E. how some tree species are able to withstand the effects of pests

Answer is C. However my understanding of the last key sentence is that in writing "ramify through the ecosystem", the author is emphasizing the effects pests have are on the entire system (through changing forest species composition). This led me to answer B instead.