In: Biology
Why is an invasive species like water hyacinth so bad for the Delta?
Invasive species like water hyacinth causes serious damages to the ecosystem. The invasive species invades the already formed food chain or food web of the particular delta and it spreads like wildfire due to non-availability to any natural predator or consumer. Due to its widespread in a very short time, water hyacinth can alter the quality of the water as decease the phytoplanktons of the particular system as it forms a dense vegetative mat on the surface of water that can cause a decrease in the absorption of sunlight. They can also alter the dissolved oxygen, minerals and other heavy metals and toxins in the water. Due to the decrease in the number of phytoplankton, the number of their consumers also decrease which in turns causes a decrease in big fishes. It can cause an increase in an algal bloom which decreases the flow of water that can lead to the manifestation of various insects like mosquitoes etc.