Question

Asian carp is an invasive species of fish causing serious damage to native fish populations in the United States. Asian carp was initially imported to help control weeds and parasites incommercial ponds. A few years later, Asian carp began appearing in the Mississippi River and soon became well established throughout the river and in various bodies of water throughoutthe country. Residents of one particular town have observed a decrease in the bass population since the appearance of the Asian carp in their lake. They claim that the recent increase inAsian carp population has changed their aquatic ecosystem. What additional evidence would be needed to support this claim?A.Data on changes in the population of other aquatic species and abiotic factors after the appearance of the Asian carpB.Data on a change in the Asian carp population after a decrease in the bass populationC.Data on changes in the water level of the lake after the appearance of the Asian carpD.Data on a change in the land life population and abiotic factors after the appearance of the Asian carp

Answer 1

The correct answer is A. Data on changes in the population of other aquatic species and abiotic factors after the appearance of the Asian carp. Invasive species can change ecosystem function. To prove it, it is needed to record data on population abundance of native species, and abiotic parameters related to the invasive species. If there is a change in both issues after the introduction of the invasive species, we could say it is changing the ecosystem functioning.