Hello Friends,

In this article we will be taking a look at one of the most invasive fish in North America. By studying this particular fish we can get an idea of the damage it causes and the threat is poses to the native ecosystem. This fish, known commonly as the Asian Carp, is a large cyprinid type fish. In fact, a group of nine species of the ?Asian carp? type fish have been introduced to North America in substantial numbers. These species have been particularly successful at invading the Mississippi River and its tributaries – in fact making up more than 50% of all fish in the river (by weight). This fish can grow up to 25 centimeters in the first year. Tough they typically weight around 2 to 4 kilograms, the largest carp has been noted at 40 kilograms and over a meter long. However, given these facts, the question arises that what makes these fish particularly invasive?

In the previous article we discussed some traits which tend to make a species invasive to the environment within which it is introduced. Some of these included species based traits such as mobility, reproduction or characteristics which allows a given species to outcompete the native species. The Asian Carp has many such attributes which allows it to invade an ecosystem and disadvantage the native species. Furthermore, the carp are thought to be extremely injurious to the North American environment into which they are introduced.

Firstly, the Asian carp has the ability to impact the native species in a given ecosystem. This ability comes from two major attributes: reproduction and consumption of resources. The ability to rapidly reproduce has allowed the carp to increase in numbers and aggressively take over the environment. This fact coupled with the consumption of the resources, especially plankton, allows the Asian carp to outcompete native species. An Asian carp has the ability to consume up to 20% of its body weight in plankton daily. The large number of quickly reproducing carp, each consuming a large portion of plankton both ?crowd out? and limit the resources available in that ecosystem for the native species.  

Another aspect of the Asian Carp?s effect is the environmental effect. The Asian carp have the effect of degrading an ecosystem, thus also impacting native species. By rooting in the mud in the ecosystems they occupy, they cause widespread uprooting of vegetation and muddy water. The results of these activities of the Asian carp are detrimental to both the health of the ecosystem as well as the native species.

Lastly, the Asian carp also has a negative effect upon the economy of the regions within they have been introduced. We can study the effect that the Asian carp has had on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes and assess the economical damages caused by this invasive species. By causing declines in the native fish stocks in the region, the Asian carp has affected both the commercial and recreational fishing in the region. This has had the effect of costing millions of dollars every year.

Ultimately, the Asian carp was introduced in the late nineteenth century to North America. Ever since they have been successful in creating havoc upon the native ecosystems of the regions they have spread to. Ultimately it is up to us to take measures which help prevent the complete destruction of the native species in a region for native species serve vital roles – they ensure the stability of an entire ecosystem. Therefore, it is very important to think of ways we can control invasive species and prevent their populations from reaching such high numbers that they cause large scale ecological damage.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to post below.

Kindest Regards,

Nitish  

photo credits: watercanada.net