Zebra mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes inadvertently from the ballast water of a European freighter. Since then, zebra mussel populations have increased rapidly and become a major...

Zebra mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes inadvertently from the ballast water of a European freighter. Since then, zebra mussel populations have increased rapidly and become a major ecological problem. Using the Internet, your library, or another source of information, research zebra mussel population growth in the Great Lakes. Complete the answers to the following questions. 1.) In what trophic level is the zebra mussel? Is it a predatory? 2.) Which indigenous species does it compete with? Why is it such a good competitor? 3.) Identify two of its predators. 4.) Describe two detrimental effects zebra mussels have on other organism and/or the environment. 5.) Based on your research, provide at least two ecological approaches to solving or reducing the severity of the problems presented by the zebra mussel invasion. 6.) Based on your research, is the population of zebra mussels growing at an exponential or logistic rate? What evidence do you have to support your answer?