Managing, controlling, and studying invasive species is incredibly important to the conservation and stability of ecosystems worldwide. The organism I plan on studying for the research project is the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). This organism is known for its distinctive bivalve shell striped with black and white patterns. The mussel is often found in freshwater bodies such as the great lakes and Lake Simcoe. Zebra Mussels are noted for their ability to thrive in various water conditions, making them a prime organism for studying impacts on ecosystem dynamics and water quality. The Zebra mussel has been invasive to my local bodies of water for decades. More specifically, the beaches of Lake Simcoe near my mother’s home and the Speed River just down from my apartment at The University of Guelph.
I examined one environmental gradient to help me create my hypothesis. This gradient includes varying levels of water volume and associated CO2 concentrations in Lake Simcoe, from areas influenced by human activity to more natural, less disturbed regions. The high-volume zone is part of the lake near industrial outflows where the water exchange is high, and CO2 levels are potentially elevated due to nearby human activities. The low volume zone includes parts of the lake that are more isolated and less affected by direct human inputs, characterized by lower water movement and minimal CO2 alterations. This gradient is relevant as it concerns the primary ecological function of Zebra Mussels: filter feeding. Understanding how flow rates and nutrient levels influence these mussels can help manage their spread and control their population more effectively, given their invasive nature and the ecological challenges in Lake Simcoe and beyond. At Lake Simcoe, the water has become very clear, presumably from the filter-feeding activity of the abundant zebra mussels occupying the water. Interestingly, sandy areas of Lake Simcoe were not as clear and lacked substrate to attach themselves to. However, the docks in Keswick, Ontario and many boats showed zebra mussels clinging onto their surfaces. Although there are many native mussels in the lakes of Ontario, we can presume the ones on the boulders and docks are invasive species due to their abundance in shallow waters near human activity. My interaction with these organisms led me to the following hypothesis: the increase of carbon dioxide concentrations in freshwater lakes and water systems leads to the growth of zebra mussel populations because of the improved photosynthesis of aquatic plants and nutrient availability from aquatic plant growth.
I predict that freshwater areas with artificially elevated CO2 levels due to human activity will exhibit greater zebra mussel population density and growth than ponds with no artificially manipulated CO2 levels. The high flow and CO2 zone will show the highest population density and growth rates of Zebra Mussels due to maximized food availability and optimal conditions for photosynthesis, enhancing the primary productivity that supports mussel populations.
The primary response variable can be the survival rates of zebra mussel populations under artificially increased CO2 levels. This corresponds with the hypothesis, theorizing that increased carbon dioxide levels boost plant photosynthesis and enhance food availability.