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. But what happens when a new species is introduced that uses a disproportionate share of the ecosystem’s resources? Use the attachment for assignment instructions and data collection. .

1. 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. But
what happens when a new species is introduced that uses a
disproportionate share of the ecosystem’s resources?
Use the attachment for assignment instructions and data
collection.