19 Jul THE EFFECTS OF ZEBRA AND QUAGGA MUSSELS INTRODUCED INTO A FRESHWATER LAKE
tudent Instructions
In this lab, you will determine how an invasive species—the zebra and quagga mussel—affects other species in the freshwater lake. Use the animation to help you come up with an answer to the following:
Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?
What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?
The Effects of Zebra and Quagga Mussels Introduced into a Freshwater Lake
As you have learned, population dynamics are caused by the biotic potential of the population and the effects of environmental resistance. When there is minimal environmental resistance impacting a population, it will exhibit a population explosion. One reason for minimal resistance could be factors that no longer regulate a population (e.g., predator decline or resource increases). Another reason for a population explosion is the introduction of an invasive species. Invasive species are species foreign to an ecosystem and are not immediately regulated by the environmental restraints of the particular ecosystem that they invade. This in turn allows their populations to grow seemingly uncontrolled and to displace other indigenous populations. Examples of such an invasive species into North America are dreissenid mussels, commonly known as zebra and quagga mussels. Their introduction into the Great Lakes has caused economic hardship and a reorganization of the ecosystem. This has led, in part, to pollution-causing effects that can be linked to an alga known as Cladophora.
Ecosystems are webs of intricately balanced interactions, what happens when a new species is introduced that uses a disproportionate share of the ecosystem’s resources?
Using the M.U.S.E. link, review the background information and animation to complete your report.
Use the Lab 5 worksheet for assignment instructions and data collection.
You will find that the number of mussels increases for 13 years and then begins to decrease. You are asked to explain this in your report.
Why do you see increases and decreases in the invasive species population?
What are the implications associated with these alterations to the ecosystem as a whole?
Use the notes in the animation to review the food chain in this ecosystem. It will be very important to be able to describe which species are native and which are invasive. And to describe how even a native species, such as cladophora (algae) can result in ecological damage. Next, review Chapter 4 of your eBook and refresh your memory on how the members of an ecosystem interact and the upper limit of organisms that an ecosystem can support, known as the carrying capacity. As you collect your data consider how the cladophora increases along with the mussels. This happens because the mussels filter the water making it clearer. More sunlight reaches into the water’s depths allowing for better growth of these autotrophs. At year 13 we see a peak in both populations. I expect you will find that the huge number of mussels and the high level of cladophora deplete the Great Lakes ecosystem of nutrients.
Note that after 13 years the numbers of these detrimental organisms decreases, allowing the native populations to rebound.
If you would like a little more background information on the Zebra Mussel, this site has a good description with clear pictures
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