Zebra Mussel: An Unwelcome Visitor
By: Karin A. Tammi
Picture: This picture shows a shopping cart that was pulled from the Great Lakes' waters, which are infested with zebra mussels. This picture really shows the damage the zebra mussels can cause.
Summary:
Zebra mussels are an invasive species that are causing harm to aquatic ecosystems in North America. They are also causing a lot of damage in the Great Lakes region. Zebra mussels were originally found in Asia and slowly moved their way into Europe. Although scientists are not completely sure how this species got to the United States, they think that these mussels were brought to the United States by a European cargo ship that dumped water into the Great Lakes in the mid-1980’s. This species has been in the United States and the Great Lakes ever since then. They can be transported very easily. Some common ways of transportation include boats, trailers and bait buckets that zebra mussels attach themselves to. Zebra mussels have the ability to filter water, but this could cause a problem with the aquatic food chains. They are taking water space and food away from aquatic animals because their population is so large. They also reproduce in huge amount. The average amount of eggs for a female mussel per year is 100,000. This species is causing a huge economic problem because they are attaching themselves to water intake pipes, wells and screen systems. It will cost about $300,950 to fix the problems that the zebra mussels have created. They are causing many water problems and they need to be controlled.
Opinion/Reflection:
It is very interesting to see how much damage an invasive speices can cause. We have been learning about invasive species like the cockroach in class, but this article really put it in perspective for me. We need to do our best from stopping invasive species population from growing too large and make sure we are not spreading invasive species to other areas and habitats. I have never heard about zebra mussels, but now I will know to look out for them and other invasive species. Invasive species could cause a lot of problems for humans and other animals of the food chain. Although a few of an invasive species may be a good thing, we need to learn how to control the populations of these species, so that they do not cause any harm or danger.
Questions:
Questions:
1. How can we stop invasive species from causing harm to other animals?
2. What are some examples of other invasive species that cause harm in the United States?
3. What can boat owners do to prevent the spread of zebra mussels?
4. Where is the biggest population of zebra mussels located?
After reading Julia's summary of the zebra mussels, I am very surprised to see how much damage one small organism can cause. I didnt't know anything about them until I read this article. Its shocking to see that the problem they have created by attaching to water intake pipes, wells and screen systems will cost around $300,950 to fix. That is not a small amount and if the mussels keep creating issues to similar to what they have been, they can not only harm other organisms and the water systems, but also to our economy. I believe that action should be taken immediately before they lose the money they could be using to save endangered species. Personlly, I've never seen or heard of a zebra mussel and since they have been causing so much damage, I wonder how exactly how many damage causing invasive species are out there that I don't know about. Not only myself but I'm pretty sure that scientists aren't aware of all the invasive species and what issues they are creating throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to Question 2
http://www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/vol2no2/article2.html
This link above is a website that provides various species and organisms that have cause some sort of harm in the United States. There is a wide range of plants and animals, along with various different ways in which they have cause problems to the country. There are plants like the leafy spurge that caused a loss of $110 million in the year of 1990 alone, and animals the European gypsy moth that caused a loss of $764 million in 1981. Along with other money losses it also shows other ways in which organisms have caused disturbance in their own ecosystems along with other around them. This website is a great way to figure out all the harms in the United States that have been caused by invasive species.
I never realized the damage one single species can cause. The organism, zebra mussel, sounds harmless but from the reading, it sounds like an annoying invasive species. I have never heard of the zebra mussel before this reading either. This species sounds very dangerous, since it can attach itself to sensitive areas such as water pipes and screen systems. And the fact that it can do greater damage - harm our economy - is shocking. $300,950 is a lot of money to be spent on damages of this organism. I think we need to do something about species like the zebra mussel, before they get out of hand. I did not read an significant purpose that these mussels serve, and we should take action and try to maintain their ever-growing populations before it increases and causes even more damage.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question #3 - http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species-List/Zebra-Mussels/Preventing-Their-Spread
In the short paragraph in the link, there are specific instructions for boat owners so they can take precaution on the spread of zebra mussels. Boat owners should carefully inspect their boat, and also drain any live wells or bilges before leaving the lake. Mud or any vegetation should also be cleaned off the boat, anchors, and rope. Also, if they happen to drive their boat into zebra mussel-infested water, they should use a specific amount of bleach or hot water to soak on their boat for 5 days. Unused bait should not be thrown in the water, but dumped on dry land, and if any boots come in contact with infested waters, it is essential to clean them.
It’s scary to think how much damage one organism can do to an entire ecosystem. But after reading Julia’s summary on the zebra mussel I realized how real it actually is. The zebra mussel is originally from Asia and no one really knows how they got to America. Invasive species like the zebra mussel find their way into ecosystems where they don’t have any natural predators and reproduce rapidly, causing damage to the water and animals living there. Once living comfortably in the Great Lakes, zebra mussels attached themselves onto boats and bait buckets of fisherman, transporting them from infected waters to clean waters for them to reproduce again. Zebra mussels are a huge problem for the economy too. They are connecting onto intake water pipes and screens, which can cause up to 300,000 dollars to fix
ReplyDeleteQuestion 4: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/22/9-invasive-species-in-the-us_n_720081.html#s141329&title=Pythons_In_Florida
This link shows 9 invasive species in the US that are currently causing harm. Some examples of these species are African honeybees which have earned the nickname “killer bees” because they have been known to kill humans when they felt threatened. Another invasive species is a form of termite originally from Asia that has been causing problems in New Orleans. Last year the US spent 1.2 billion dollars fighting invasive species.
Before reading this story, I never knew what zebra mussels were and how they were affecting the Great Lakes. Like Julia, I am learning about invasive species in class and did not realize how much of an impact they had. This problem needs to be stopped because soon enough, the native species will die off and all that will be left is the zebra mussels. That is not good for environment. We as people need to control this problem and start donating money to the habitats like this one. We can help many different kinds of species survive and create more biodiversity.
ReplyDelete1.What can people do to help control the invasion of zebra mussels?
2.How can zebra mussels hurt a water system like wells or intake pipes?
3.Where else is in the world are there other invasive species?