What are 2 positive effects that zebra mussels have on an ecosystem?
The dreaded zebra mussel — an invasive species — is killing off native species in lakes and rivers all over the country. But in Lake Ontario, it turns out the zebra mussel has had a positive impact for salmon fishermen. It’s producing fatter, faster-growing salmon.
What effect did the zebra mussels have on the food chain in the Hudson River?
There are so many zebra mussels in the Hudson River that they filter all of the water in the river every 1-4 days, removing the microscopic plants and animals that make up their diet. This can be problematic for fish species that rely on the same food resources.
Do zebra mussels have any benefits?
Adult zebra mussels feed by filtering large amounts of plankton and detritus from the water. Each mussel can filter one liter of water per day! Zebra mussels thrive in nutrient-rich water which supports healthy populations of plankton.
What are the likely economic impacts of the mussel invasion?
Congressional researchers estimated that an infestation of zebra mussel in the Great Lakes cost the power industry alone $3.1 billion in the 1993-1999 period, with a total economic impact on industries, businesses, and communities of more than $5 billion.