The invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) literature review and density reduction synthesis

Abstract

In this study, the impacts of zebra mussels on aquatic communities (biology, ecology, natural enemies of zebra mussel, effects on the ecosystems etc.) were evaluated based on the international scientific literature. In the last 30 years, zebra mussel studies have been focused on their distribution, environmental interactions and harms in different aquatic ecosystems. With this review study, a synthesis was made from studies on zebra mussels that cause damage to many aquatic ecosystems around the world, and the hypothesis for their reduction in the ecosystem was put forward. As a result of this hypothesis, suggestions such as joining the pieces of a puzzle are presented in the last part of the review. With the implementation of the suggestions given as a result of the study, it will be possible to make a great contribution to the economies of the countries by reducing the zebra mussel, which causes a billion dollars of economic damage in aquatic ecosystems. In this context, freshwater lake, which is the most intense in America and freshwater lake in similar ecosystem which is rarely seen in Anatolia in Eurasia, should be studied simultaneously. As a result, by preventing the reproduction of the species causing problems in many aquatic ecosystems in the world, a great distance will be covered in terms of protecting water resources for the coming years.