Environmental Science Lab IP 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Environmental Science Lab IP 5 - Essay Example This is deposited at the bottom of the lake bed and then undergoes decomposition, yielding nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen that then accelerate the growth of algae species (Vanderploeg, et al., 2001). Using MUSE, the numbers of phytoplankton, zooplankton, Cladophara, Foraging fish and Lake Trout were recorded at intervals of 0, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 and 20 years after the introduction of the Zebra and Quagga mussels to the ecosystem. The recorded results showed that the population of the Zebra and Quagga mussels, as well as the Cladophora biomass increased rapidly from 0-13 years. It then decreased in the subsequent years (16-20). Conversely, the populations of phytoplankton, zooplankton, Foraging fish and the Lake Trout decreased from 0-13 years, and then increased afterwards. The results showed that between 0-13 years of introduction, the population of the Zebra and Quagga mussels increased and that of the phytoplankton reduced since the mussels feed on the phytoplankton. The reduction of the phytoplankton population led to a reduction in the populations of the species that come next on the food chain (zooplankton, Foraging fish and Lake Trout). The biomass of Cladophora algae rose like that of the mussels rose because of the increase in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus due to decomposition of pseudofecal matter. The population of the mussels rose up to the point where the available phytoplankton could not sustain their survival, resulting in a large number dying off. This led to a subsequent drop in the biomass of Cladophora algae because of the reduction in the amount of nutrients available. As the population of the mussels dropped, there was a slight increase in the population of the phytoplankton. This lead to a subsequent rise in the population of the species dependent on it both directly and indirectly. Benson, A. J., Raikow, D., Larson, J., & Fusaro, A. (2012, 06 06). Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771).