What negative effect does Cherax destructor burrowing have on water quality outside its range?
Answer
It increases turbidity, reducing light penetration
The aggressive burrowing habits of the yabby, when established as an invasive species, cause measurable negative alterations to aquatic ecosystems. Their digging activity suspends fine particles like sediment and mud into the water column. This process significantly increases the water's turbidity, meaning the water becomes cloudier. Increased turbidity inherently reduces the depth to which sunlight can penetrate the water, thereby inhibiting the growth of submerged native vegetation, which relies on adequate light for photosynthesis.
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