Zebra mussels were first discovered in North America in the Great Lakes in 1988. This invasive species eats phytoplankton and other microscopic organisms in fresh water. What would be the most likely effect if zebra mussels are introduced into a local fresh water lake? (2 points)

a.)The ecosystem would benefit from the increased competition for food and increased diversity.

b.)The ecosystem would be harmed as other phytoplankton-eating organisms would have less to eat.

c.)The zebra mussels would only affect the lake if it already contained another species of mussels.

d.)The zebra mussels would benefit the lake especially species higher up on the food chain.

Introduction of zebra mussels will definitely harm the ecosystem because they are invasive. They impose a lot of threat to the native inhabiting species of the water bodies. They attach themselves to the native species and use them as anchors for their survival. By doing this, they make it very difficult for the native species to move, feed and breed. Not only this but also they compete with the native species who eat phytoplanktons as food because of which availability of food for the native species becomes limited.