The Great Lakes ecosystem has been severely damaged by more than 180 invasive and non-native species . Species such as the zebra mussel, quagga mussel, round goby, sea lamprey, and alewife reproduce and spread, ultimately degrading habitat, out-competing native species, and short-circuiting food webs.
How do invasive species affect water?
Aquatic invaders are clearly of concern to a water resources manager, but invasive species in the watershed can have significant effects on water quality and aquatic ecosystem health due to the ways they affect bank stability and the volume and pollution levels in runoff (see Terrestrial Invasive Species that affect ...
How are invasive species affecting Lake Michigan?
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) threaten the health and vitality of Michigan’s Great Lakes and inland waters. AIS compete with native species for food and habitat, disrupt aquatic food webs, impact water quality and cost the state millions.
What is the main threat to Lake Michigan?
Lake Michigan, and the Great Lakes in general, face many threats, including: Exotic Invasive Species . Coastal Wetland Loss . Fisheries Management .
Which invasive species is causing water quality issues in the Great Lakes?
Invasive (Asian) Carp are one of the biggest threats to the Great Lakes. These non-native fish pose a significant risk if they are allowed to become established.
Do invasive species have to be non-native?
An invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area. Invasive species can cause great economic and environmental harm to the new area. Not all non-native species are invasive . ... It must harm property, the economy, or the native plants and animals of the region.
What can you do to prevent the spread of invasive species?
- Clean your hiking and fishing gear. ...
- Don’t move firewood. ...
- Fish using native bait when possible. ...
- Volunteer at removal efforts. ...
- Talk to your local nursery when selecting plants for your garden. ...
- Clean your boat before transferring to a new body of water.
What are some problems in Lake Michigan?
Current pressures on the Lake Michigan ecosystem include increasing use of groundwater by a growing basin population , disruption of the aquatic food web, and habitat alteration.
Is Lake Michigan connected to the ocean?
The Straits of Mackinac connect Lake Michigan to Lake Huron (which are hydrologically one). ... The Saint Lawrence River and the Saint Lawrence Seaway connect Lake Ontario to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
Why are Lake Michigan beaches disappearing?
The good news is, lake levels have gone down a few inches the past few months . But with lake levels this high, strong storms can create huge waves which continue the erosion that has plagued the shoreline for the past several years.
Can you eat zebra mussels?
Are Zebra Mussels edible? Most clams and mussels are edible, but that does not mean they taste good! Many species of fish and ducks eat Zebra Mussels, so they are not harmful in that sense. ... To be safe, it is not recommended to eat Zebra Mussels .
Are there sharks in the Great Lakes?
The only sharks in the Great Lakes region can be found behind glass in an aquarium . ... “There may be one kind of shark that could survive — some of the time — in the Great Lakes,” said Amber Peters, an assistant professor specializing in Marine Ecology in Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
What is an enemy of the Great Lakes?
Problem for Michigan Watershed because it eats everything, native plants and native fish,and jump out of the water.
What would happen if we left invasive species alone?
If left uncontrolled, invasive species can limit land use . ... Many animals were adversely affected, including the ten species of moths and butterflies that became extinct because they could live only on American chestnut trees.
Are invasive species really that bad?
Are invasive species always bad? Maybe not , according to an increasingly common point of view among ecologists. A non-native species is defined as invasive if it causes substantial harm in its new range; just because a species is introduced by human action does not automatically make it invasive.
Can invasive species be stopped?
Once an invasive species becomes established, it is rarely possible to eradicate. The best way to avoid the harm that invasive species can cause is to prevent them from entering the country . We use several ways to predict species at risk of becoming invasive and then preventing them from being imported.
