The effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations on Dreissena polymorpha population densities in Douglas Lake.

General EcologyThe zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), a highly invasive species in the Great Lakes region, depletes native unionidae of their necessary environmental components, such as phytoplankton. We hypothesized that the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium, as necessary components for plankton and mussel growth, will be limiting factors in D. polymorpha population densities. Our study involved the sampling of various sites around Douglas Lake. Dreissena polymorpha showed no preference for calcium or phosphorus concentrations, but showed a trend between increasing population densities and decreasing nitrogen concentrations. There seems to be a strong effect between population densities of D. polymorpha and human activity. Understanding how D. polymorpha use nutrients may be a key factor in decreasing their negative effects on our freshwater ecosystems.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96184/1/Kline_Pundmann_Vernier_2010.PD