What specific trophic level loss do managers fear when Wels catfish target intermediate fish species?
Answer
A bottom-up or top-down cascade effect
When a large invader targets native fish occupying an intermediate trophic level, the removal of those fish can trigger widespread, unpredictable population crashes or extinctions throughout the food web structure.
Related Questions
What is the native range of the Wels catfish?How large can Wels catfish grow in their native ecosystems?What is the primary designation given to Wels catfish populations established outside their historic habitat?How was the Wels catfish described regarding its impact on river ecosystems in Spain?What type of non-aquatic animal have reports indicated the Wels catfish preys upon in France?What hunting strategy do Wels catfish primarily employ?What specific trophic level loss do managers fear when Wels catfish target intermediate fish species?What is the first line of defense against Wels catfish introduction in North America?Why are standard large-scale removal techniques often ineffective against established Wels catfish populations?What fundamental difference in management strategy is highlighted when comparing Michigan's approach to Spain's?Besides government regulations, whose compliance is essential for successful invasion prevention regarding transport?How is the Wels catfish currently characterized regarding the Great Lakes basin?