Jeffrey Huang
Date Accessed: 10/23/14
By Brian Stallard
Date Published: Oct 22, 2014 06:10 PM
URL: http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/9794/20141022/invasive-seaweed-sheltering-local-crustaceans.htm
Summary- The article by Brian Stallard is about a newly invaded species of seaweed that has become a shelter for crustaceans on the salty mudflats of Georgia and South Carolina and it's impact on the food web and the environment itself. The scientific name of this seaweed is Gracilaria vermiculophylla, also called red Japanese Seaweed. Previously, before the invasion, crustaceans had been exposed, thus making themselves to be preyed upon. The seaweed provided the crustaceans, mainly the native Gammarus mucronatu, shelter/habitat from the predators. During low tide, it protected it from predators, and during high tide, it shielded it from the harsh rays of the sun. The article goes on to talk about how although the relationship between the seaweed and the crustaceans might seem beneficial, it still has severe impacts on the food chain and massively disrupting the surrounding ecosystem.
Connection- This article is related to our class because it talks about the symbiotic relationship between the crustaceans and the red Japanese Seaweed. Since the crustaceans are receiving shelter and protection, but don't affect the seaweed in any sort of way, the relationship can be classified as commensalism. The article also elaborates on how invasive species in general and how they might negatively impact the environment. Even though the red Japanese Seaweed may benefit the crustaceans, it still harms predators by limiting their food supply. Because the seaweed protects the crustaceans, they become harder to find, and thus predators lose a main source of food. This is an example of how invasive species can indirectly impact the environment. By eliminating/limiting the availability of crustaceans as a food source, other organisms that depend on the crustaceans as their main food source will decrease in population.
Despite the fact that the seaweed provided multiple benefits, did it cause harm to any other living organisms in the area?
ReplyDeleteIt harmed organisms that preyed on the organisms that seeked shelter within the seaweed.
DeleteDespite the crab population boom brought about by their new found shelter, wouldn't other limiting factors like food supply help keep the crab population in check, thus not greatly disrupting the ecosystem?
ReplyDeleteWell, since the seaweed shelters the crustaceans, it makes it harder for predators such as seagulls to get food, which is basically getting rid of one significant method of keeping the crab population in check, thus disrupting the ecosystem.
DeleteHow did the Red Japanese Seaweed get in that area? Also, what other organisms beside the crustaceans were affected by their invasion?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure of how it got here, but it might be because its seeds were transported here by ships. The main organism that benefited from the seaweed was the crustaceans and other small prey and the organisms that were harmed were seagulls and other organisms that preyed on the crustaceans and such.
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