Invasive species such as crayfish and carp will cause lake ecosystems to collapse

A new study found that certain invasive alien species can damage lakes, cause the ecosystem to quickly collapse, and pollute drinking water, aquaculture and recreational water

Human activities and climate change are causing the rapid spread of invasive alien species around the world

Invasive fish such as Asian silver carp and crustaceans such as American crayfish have been found to significantly reduce the abundance of other important organisms in the lake and worsen the water quality

Shallow lakes naturally exist in two different stable states: one is healthy—clear water with abundant vegetation, and the other is degraded—with turbid water dominated by algae

Deteriorating freshwater ecosystems dominated by algae also threaten human health and water security

"Algal blooms are one of the most serious threats to the safety of freshwater on the earth's surface

However, although invasive species are considered a major threat to global biodiversity, their impact on ecosystem services may not all be negative

The report’s senior author, Professor David Aldridge, said: “For example, managers of drinking water reservoirs may be able to avoid the cost of dealing with harmful algae floods by removing invasive crayfish, but allowing existing Of non-native zebra mussels are left behind as a biological filter

He added: "Early detection and rapid response plans should always be our first line of attack

The researchers focus on shallow lake ecosystems, but they say that their framework can be applied to other key ecosystems that experience catastrophic tipping points, such as coral reefs, seaweed forests, and desert shrublands

Magazine

Global Change Biology

DOI

10.

Subject of research

animal

Article title

The global impact of invasive species on the tipping point of shallow lakes

Article publication date

6-October-2021