Envr 1401 Lab 2 Black And White And Spread All Over

Lab 2: Black and White and Spread All Over: Zebra Mussels Invade the Great Lakes (Due Monday, August 28^th)

Watch the video ch01_media file before beginning this lab. You can find the uploaded video attached to the Lab 2 Assignment.

 As humans put ever-increasing stress on Earth’s systems, our ability to understand these systems has never been more important. This video introduces students to the invasive zebra mussels and its effect on aquatic ecosystems in the Great Lakes and elsewhere in the US.

• Where are zebra mussels native to? (1 point)

Eurasia

• What led to the spread of the zebra mussels out of its native range? (1 point)

Failure to drain water from boats while leaving public lakes, rivers, or creeks.

• Where were zebra mussels first discovered in the United States and what year was that? (2 points)

Texas 2009

• How did the zebra mussels get there? Was it intentional or accidental? (2 points)

Transported in ballast water from ships into the great lakes. This was accidental

• What negative impacts are caused by invasive zebra mussels? What kind of economic impact does this have on the United States? (2 points)

Displacement of native species – The zebra mussels will out compete other aquatic organism for food and space disrupting the ecosystem.

The Economic impact is more severe since the organisms can clog water intake pipes, powerplant cooling systems and municipal water supply systems damaging the infrastructure.

In the video, attachment to pipes, pumps and boats has been the majorly sited infrastructural damage.

Suffice it to say, this translates to economic losses associated with repairs and replacement. Further, it affects boating and recreation.

• What signs are there that the zebra populations may be decreasing? (1 point)

The video does not mention a sign that the zebra populations may be decreasing. However, given that they are yet to spread to other water bodies other than public lakes, rivers and creek. The measures in place by the local government including the rule requiring boaters to drain all water from their boats every time they leave a public lake, river, or creek and creation of awareness might lead to populations to decrease.

• What this (5) Zebra Mussels On the Move - YouTube video and then answer the following questions. Are there zebra mussels in Texas? How can you prevent the spread of zebra mussels? (2 points)

Yes. By draining the water from boats after coming from a public lake, river or creek. Basically by avoiding contact between contaminated and uncontaminated water.

Environmental scientists David Pimentel, Rodolfo Zuniga, and Doug Morrison of Cornell University reviewed scientific estimates for the economic and ecological costs imposed by introduced and invasive species in the United States. They found that approximately 50,000 species had been introduced in the United States and that these accounted for over $120 billion in economic costs each year. These costs include direct losses and damage, as well as costs required to control the species. (The researchers did not quantify monetary estimates for losses of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and aesthetics, which they said would drive total costs several times higher.) Calculate values missing from the table to determine the number of introduced species of each type of organism and the annual cost that each imposes on our economy. (12 points)

Data from Pimental, D., R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison, 2005. Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecological Economics 52: 273-288.

Black and White and Spread All Over: Zebra Mussels Invade the Great Lakes

• Of the 50,000 species introduced into the United States, half are plants. Describe two ways in which non-native plants might be brought to a new location. How might we help prevent non-native plants from establishing in new areas and altering native communities? (3 points)

They can be brought through;

• By people. For example, through horticulture and landscaping, nonnative plants are intentionally introduced for ornamental purposes in gardens, parks, and landscaping. They then escape through plant fragments and seeds.
• Accidental release. They might be accidentally transported through contaminated soil, shoes, vehicle tires and other equipment.

To prevent non-native plants from establishing in new areas and altering native communities we can;

• Increase awareness of the risk of contamination and how it can be avoided.
• Regulations limiting movement to contaminated areas and guiding practices in this movement.
• Early detection and response systems to mitigate the spread of non-native plants and species.
• Use of certified seeds.
• Organisms that damage crop plants are the most costly of introduced species. Weeds, pathogenic microbes, and arthropods that attack crops together account for half of the costs documented by Pimentel’s team. What steps can we – farmers, policymakers, and all of us as a society – take to minimize the impacts of invasive species on crops? (1 point)
• Implement measures for multiple, complementary approaches to pest control.
• Research and education on the invasive species and how they can be stopped.
• Early warning and response systems
• Using certified seeds
• How might your own behavior influence the influx and ecological impacts of non-native species such as those listed above? Name three things that you could personally do to help reduce the impacts of invasive species. (3 points)

My behavior could influence the influx and ecological impacts of non-native species by engaging in boating activities in regions where the water might be contaminated by an invasive species. I could then transfer this to other bodies. During landscaping, I might introduce a perceived superior grass which could then affect the native grass. Finally, I could introduce a pet that affects biosystems. To reduce the impacts, I can landscape using the native grass, clean, drain and dry my boat before moving it and avoid releasing an invasive pet.