Invasive Species Impacts on Glacier National Park
"Invasive species are animals, plants, and other living things that spread rapidly in new environments where there are few or no natural controls on their growth. They crowd out native species, putting them at risk of extinction." (World Book Encyclopedia)
The major threat when it comes to invasive species is aquatic. Mussels like the Zebra Mussel and Quagga Mussel are both non-native, invasive species residing at Glacier National Park. They damage both the infrastructure of the park, like dams or bridges, and they negatively affect the native aquatic organisms. A species of trout sometimes referred to as the "Judas fish" is another invasive species. Quartz Lake in the park is affected by the invasive trout species. This hurts the native trout in the lake. Measures have been taken to try and get rid of the trout, but there are still adults remaining in the lake.
The invasive species, along with climate change and other environmental and non-environmental impacts, cause some organisms at the park to become at risk of extinction. The Western Glacier Stonefly, one of the very endangered species at Glacier, is at the base of the food chain, making it crucial that this insect survive. The fly breaks down organic material and they provide a food source for fish. Many species of fish are becoming endangered not only due to the lack of base pyramid food like the Western Glacier Stonefly, but also because of the invasive species like the trout and mussels.
The major threat when it comes to invasive species is aquatic. Mussels like the Zebra Mussel and Quagga Mussel are both non-native, invasive species residing at Glacier National Park. They damage both the infrastructure of the park, like dams or bridges, and they negatively affect the native aquatic organisms. A species of trout sometimes referred to as the "Judas fish" is another invasive species. Quartz Lake in the park is affected by the invasive trout species. This hurts the native trout in the lake. Measures have been taken to try and get rid of the trout, but there are still adults remaining in the lake.
The invasive species, along with climate change and other environmental and non-environmental impacts, cause some organisms at the park to become at risk of extinction. The Western Glacier Stonefly, one of the very endangered species at Glacier, is at the base of the food chain, making it crucial that this insect survive. The fly breaks down organic material and they provide a food source for fish. Many species of fish are becoming endangered not only due to the lack of base pyramid food like the Western Glacier Stonefly, but also because of the invasive species like the trout and mussels.
Grace Madigan and Angelina Olson, 2013