D. There will be an increase in nutrients available in the lake.
As water hyacinth covers the water body, it prevents sunlight from reaching other plants beneath the surface, causing them to die off. These dead plants will then decompose, releasing nutrients into the water. This increase in nutrients can lead to algal blooms and eutrophication, ultimately impacting the entire ecosystem.
Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that is native to South America and that has been introduced to the United States. Because water hyacinth is not a native species of flower in the country, there is a lack of native animal species that feed on water hyacinth. In fact, it can completely cover a small water body within just a few years. The image below shows a water body that has been covered by water hyacinth.
Suppose water hyacinth is introduced into a lake ecosystem in the southeastern United States where it was not previously located. Which of the following best predicts how this will impact the ecosystem over time?
A.
The number of types of plant species in the lake will decrease.
B.
There will be an increase in carbon dioxide available in the lake.
C.
The number of individual plants living in the lake will decrease.
D.
There will be an increase in nutrients available in the lake.
1 answer
1 answer