What primary impact does the zebra mussel's massive filtration effort have on the base of the aquatic food web?
Answer
Increasing water clarity by removing phytoplankton
The defining ecological impact of the zebra mussel stems from its extremely efficient water filtration capacity, capable of processing up to one liter of water daily per individual. This high rate of particle removal directly results in a significant increase in water clarity within the water column. Phytoplankton, which are microscopic algae forming the foundational energy source for the entire aquatic food web, are the primary targets removed by this filtration process. The removal of this base layer drastically alters energy flow dynamics throughout the ecosystem.
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