Research Paper on New Species Invasions: A Global Threat to Ecosystems and Economy

Introduction

Natural invasions are a growing global threat to the overall ecosystem and the economy of the world. It starts with the arrival of a new species that has never been seen in a habitat. The erosion of the non-indigenous species is mostly stimulated by human action. The process takes place in sequence and continues until the species becomes densely populated. As the invasion stages take place, the invaded ecosystem is negatively affected, and the damage is severe. Quick and intense research needs to be done to contain, manage the effects, and eradicate the species.

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The Asian clam is also known as corbicula fluminea which is a species of freshwater clam. It is a member of the Bivalvia class which is a cyrenidae family (Li et al., 2019). It was first discovered in the fresh water if southern and eastern Asia. The species is small with a notion of concentric circles organism that is sheltered in a light blue shell, and its light brown. Asian clam is likely to have invaded America through the importation of food. The species has very severe ecological and economic impacts. The organism displaces and reduces habitats of the aquatic animals that resembles it.

The species originates from Asia, America, and Africa. Currently, it has invaded America. Living Asian clams were first detected in Lake George in 2010 by Darrin freshwater institute. The clams covered an area of 600 species per square meter. Recently, invasive species have been identified in Illinois. It is suspected that Asians brought the organisms to North America (Smith et al., 2018). Asians used the clams for food. The species has colonized many waterways of America. Asian clams are likely to be hermaphrodites which means they can fertilize themselves. It only takes one species to produce a whole population.

The native river ecosystem is at high risk since the organisms consume the larvae of the native species. Phytoplankton is very beneficial to human beings. It boosts immunity and helps in cardiovascular functions. However, they are at a high risk of extinction because the Asian clams feed on them. Phytoplankton extinction is likely to affect the human population since they will no longer enjoy the significant benefits of the organism. Asian clam's economic impacts are immense (Bolam et al., 2019). Due to their biofouling capabilities, they cause losses to the manufacturing and tourism industries by damaging electric generating plants and clogging water filtration pipes.

Asian clams emit large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in the lakes they invade, leading to the growth of green algae which causes oxygen depletion.

Since the species invasion has an adverse ecological and economic effect, there is a need to manage them comprehensively. Three methods are used for the management and elimination of the Asian clams. Firstly, benthic barriers have been tested in Lake George's invasion. The technique is being applied in the current attack since it induces anoxia which kills and starve the species (Pereira et al., 2016).

Secondly, the Asian clams are mechanically removed using Suction Dredging. In this method, a machine with a centrifugal pump draws up the sediments and the organisms which reduce the population of the Asian clams. Finally, pesticides have proven to be the most effective method of eradicating invasive species. The use of molluscicide chemical in the form of potassium which neutralizes carbon dioxide and elevates the PH of the lake water is a sophisticated management tool in the removal of the invasive species (Pereira et al., 2016). Installing screens in the intake pipes of the electricity generating plants and the lake will help in the prevention of future Asian clam's invasion.

The effects of the Asian clam's invasion are drastic and needs to be addressed urgently to reduce the damage to the ecosystem. The competition for phytoplankton between human and the native organisms with the invasive species require attention. Management and control of the invasion are essential for minimizing the effects of the species in the ecosystem. Researches and invention of more sophisticated methods for future attacks prevention need to be conducted thoroughly.

References

Li, L., Su, L., Cai, H., Rochman, C. M., Li, Q., Kolandhasamy, P., ... & Shi, H. (2019). The uptake of microfibers by freshwater Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) varies based upon physicochemical properties. Chemosphere, 221, 107-114.

Smith, B. J., Harris, B. S., Harris, T. J., LaBudde, L. A., & Hayer, C. A. (2018). Status and Trends of the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) in the lower Fox River and Green Bay. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 44(5), 943-949.

Pereira, J. L., Pinho, S., Re, A., Costa, P. A., Costa, R., Goncalves, F., & Castro, B. B. (2016). Biological control of the invasive Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea: can predators tame the beast?. Hydrobiologia, 779(1), 209-226.

Bolam, B. A., Rollwagen-Bollens, G., & Bollens, S. M. (2019). Feeding rates and prey selection of the invasive Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, on microplankton in the Columbia River, USA. Hydrobiologia, 1-17.