THE CASE FOR RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF ZEBRA MUSSELS IN LAKE ERIE: VISUALIZATION OF INFORMATION FROM AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1993

Abstract

Recent concern about the effects of Zebra mussels has centred on potential loss of fish production and potential loss of fish edibility. The mussels are thought to cause these effects by diversion of energy flow and alteration of contaminant processing. Because management options are limited to controls on nutrients and fish harvest/stocking, it is important to determine the extent and degree of Zebra Mussel effects. Some effects of the mussels are obvious in sheltered shallow areas but the effects on the whole ecosystem are not known. A series of research surveys done in 1993 is reported in this paper. The effects of the mussels seem to result in a loss of about 25 % of the standing algal biomass in some areas. Although an attempt was made to visit many areas of the lake, more extensive work is needed to find whole ecosystem effects. The difficulty in delineating the effects of the mussels is caused by the coincidental achievement of nutrient loading goals. Because the distribution of zebra mussels is uneven their effects may be found through extensive spatial surveys.