The Harmless Invasion of the Pacific Oyster
Article By: Julio Godoy. Published on April 10, 2011. Last viewed on February 27, 2012
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| Pacific Oysters in the Wadden Sea |
SUMMARY
Pacific Oysters were brought into Berlin by scientists in the 1970's to help strengthen the biodiversity of the Bay of Biscay. Over time, these exotic oysters spread all the way up to Ireland. In modern times, these oysters are living in the habitats of the native oysters and competing for food and resources. Surprisingly though, "the two species coexist well", according to biologist Christian Buschbaum. The introduction of the Pacific Oyster seems to have little affect on the population of most native species, and has actually increased the diversity of the "fauna and flora of the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea". The species that it seems to affecting the most is the European Flat Oyster, who's population has dwindled down almost to extinction. The Pacific Oysters were introduced into their habitat by humans, but seemed to have more positive than negative effects on the ecosystem.
OPINION/REFLECTION
When I read the title: "The Harmless Invasion of the Pacific Oyster" I was completely shocked. Every other article I have read or heard about has been about the atrocious effects of an invasive species. Reading this article showed me how not all species that are exotic are bad for the ecosystem; in this scenario, the oyster benefitted the ecosystem. I was most surprised at the fact that the oyster was purposefully added to the ecosystem. I had thought most invasive species were brought into the ecosystem by accident. I would have agreed with the scientist's decisions to introduce the oyster if they had known what effect it would have had on the ecosystem. It seems as if they just added the oyster only thinking of the positives, and not considering many negatives. Because of this, I disagree with the scientist's decision to introduce the oysters. Luckily, almost everything turned out alright, though.
QUESTIONS
1.What is the worst effect introducing the oysters could have had on the environment?
2. Do you think more exotic species coexist well with the native species or not get along?
3. Do you think it's right for scientists to introduce new species into ecosystems? Why or why not?
4. How do you think our ecosystem would cope with bears being introduced?
I am going to answer Question 1 and I think that the worst effect introducing the oysters to the ecosystem is that they are competing with other oysters and if a sudden burst of population of the Exotic Oysters then they would eat more of the native oysters food
ReplyDeleteFor question number three, I think they shouldn't. Some species are meant to live in a specific place and introducing them to a new ecosystem could cause a lot of problems. In the new ecosystem the organism could be a predator which could hurt the ecosystem. Another reason is that the new organism could be prey to the ecosystem and it could die easier then before. To save both the organism and the new ecosystem scientists should not put new organisms in the ecosystem.
ReplyDeleteI have a similair reaction to you because, so far in class all we have been talking about is how invasive species are terrible for the eco-system, but this article proves that opinion false.
ReplyDelete