Zebra Mussels and the Hudson River Part 1 & 2

What is an invasive species?

• A species that is native to a specific area

• A species that causes changes in local habitats

• A species that thrives in its native area

• A species that is harmless to the environment

How did zebra mussels most likely arrive in the Great Lakes?

• They were brought by cargo ships

• They migrated from Europe and Asia

• They were introduced by scientists

• They were naturally present in the lakes

What is the main way zebra mussels spread?

• By hitching a ride on fish

• By laying eggs in the water

• By swimming against water currents

• By attaching themselves to hard surfaces

How do zebra mussels affect food webs?

• They have no impact on food webs

• They provide food for other aquatic animals

• They increase the population of plankton

• They consume native invertebrates and small fish

What are some negative impacts of zebra mussels on humans?

• Increasing the availability of food resources

• Improving water quality

• Clogging water pipes and damaging structures

• Enhancing the biodiversity of ecosystems

What impact do invasive species like zebra mussels have on native fish populations?

• They increase fish populations by providing more food sources

• They have no significant impact on fish populations

• They compete with native fish for food, leading to a decline in fish populations

• They improve the water quality, which benefits fish populations

How did zebra mussels arrive in the Hudson River?

• They migrated from the Great Lakes

• They were transported by cargo ships

• They were introduced by scientists

• They were brought by scuba divers

What approach did the scientists use to study the Hudson River ecosystem?

• Neither spatial nor temporal approaches

• A spatial approach

• A temporal approach

• Both spatial and temporal approaches

What are the biotic factors studied by the scientists?

• Water temperature and dissolved oxygen

• Suspended solids and water turbidity

• Zebra mussels and bacteria

• Phytoplankton and zooplankton

How do zebra mussels affect the oxygen levels in the river?

• They decrease the oxygen levels

• They increase the oxygen levels

• They convert oxygen into carbon dioxide

• They have no effect on the oxygen levels