One threat to populations within an ecosystem is an invasive species. In the Ame
ID: 9470 • Letter: O
Question
One threat to populations within an ecosystem is an invasive species. In the American Southwest, certain areas are being invaded by non-native, Africanized Honey Bees. This aggressive, non native bee is a prolific breeder and some estimate that it won't bee long before all bees in the lower 48 states are africanized.For your summary this week, I would like you to chose an invasive species on which to conduct research. Write a two to three paragraph summary on the impact your chosen organism effects upon the ecosystem. Be sure to address the following questions in your response:
What is the geographical location of the impacted area?
What impact is the invader having on native species populations?
What steps are being taken to address the problem if any?
If a plan has been in place, has it been effective?
Explanation / Answer
A small freshwater mollusk called the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), has been steadily invading America's rivers and lakes. Zebra mussels originated in the Balkans, Poland, and the former Soviet Union. They first appeared in North America in 1988 in Lake St. Clair, a small water body connecting Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Biologists believe the zebra mussels were picked up in a freshwater European port in the ballast water of a ship and were later discharged into the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair. Zebra mussels upset ecosystems, threaten native wildlife, damage structures, and cause other serious problems. Millions of dollars are spent each year in attempting to control these small but numerous mollusks. The animals and algae that are the food of zebra mussels are also the food for larval fish and other native species, so a large zebra mussel population may cause a decline in other animals, including native fish, mollusks, and birds. The filter-feeding activity of zebra mussels causes a related and frequently dramatic increase in water clarity in infested lakes and rivers. Zebra mussels can severely effect native mussels and clams by interfering with their feeding, growth, movement, respiration, and reproduction. Once zebra mussels become established in a water body, they are impossible to eradicate with the technology currently available. Many chemicals kill zebra mussels, but these exotics are so tolerant and tough that everything in the water would have to be poisoned to destroy the mussel. Most commercial water users rely on chemicals such as chlorine, filters, or mechanical scraping to remove mussels from their intake pipes and facilities. This is only somewhat effective. Hope this helps.
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