Quantitative trends of zebra mussels in Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 2003–2005 at different water levels

Abstract

During the extremely dry period between 2000 and 2003, the water level of Lake Balaton decreased by 82 cm and 80% of the stony littoral, an important habitat for the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), became dry. A recovery period started in 2004 due to intense precipitation, which increased water levels in the lake. Seasonal and spatial variations of the relative abundance, population density, population structure and biomass of the zebra mussel and the relative abundance of the amphipod Chelicorophium curvispinum were monitored in the period of 2003-2005 at four different shoreline sections and in two different portions (on the bottom and near the surface portion of the rip-rap) of Lake Balaton. Along with these studies, a quantitative survey of mussel larvae found in the plankton and of the abundance of mussel feeding diving ducks were made. As a consequence of the water level fall, on the dried part of the stony littoral, numerous zebra mussel druses perished. Following the dry period in early 2004, the relative abundance of the mussel on the bottom stones was smaller than in 2003 and the bottom community was dominated by C. curvispinum. By the end of 2004 and during 2005, the water level returned to normal and the surfaces of the reinundated stones were conducive to the successful colonization of zebra mussels. Hence, they returned as the dominant fauna in 2005. The stones near the surface might provide a new substrate for the recruitment of zebra mussels, probably offering more suitable substrata for the settlement in 2005 than in 2003. Therefore, the new substrata available in 2005 may have encouraged better and more rapid zebra mussel colonization than before. Zebra mussels may be better competitors for new space than C. curvispinum. A minor change of water-level fluctuation in 2005 and the reduction in population size of the mussel feeding waterfowl could have contributed to the intensive spread of zebra mussel by 2005.

Long‐term population dynamics of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis): a cross‐system analysis

“…Analyses of many individual Dreissena populations have been published, which describe dynamics at one or a few locations, and discuss the factors thought to be responsible for those dynamics (e.g., Sta nczykowska and Lewandowski 1993, Karatayev and Burlakova 1995, Burlakova et al 2006, Strayer and Malcom 2006, Balogh et al 2008, Karatayev et al 2014, Marsden et al 2014, Martel and Madill 2018, Hetherington et al 2019), but there have been no attempts at a global analysis. Here, we analyze multiple long-term data sets on Dreissena populations to try to answer the following questions.…”

Impact of Dreissena fouling on the physiological condition of native and invasive bivalves: interspecific and temporal variations

“…In freshwater ecosystems bivalves represent one of the faunal groups with high levels of introduction. Some bivalve species can be considered highly invasive and in some circumstances they became dominant in terms of density and biomass in benthic communities and also bring new attributes to the invaded ecosystem (Balogh et al 2008;Sousa et al 2008aSousa et al , 2008bWerner and Rothhaupt 2008;Aldridge 2010;Karatayev et al 2010). In addition, they can make a significant ecological impact by altering the structure and function of invaded ecosystems (Strayer et al 1999(Strayer et al , 2004Strayer and Smith 2001;Sousa et al 2009Sousa et al , 2011bStrayer 2010;Ilarri et al 2012), and in some cases these pests may cause high economic losses due, for example, to biofouling (for a review see Mackie and Claudi 2010).…”

“…In the last decades one of the most important ecological changes in the lake has involved the successful establishment of Ponto-Caspian species (e.g. D. polymorpha and Chelicorophium curvispinum) (Muskó et al 2007;Balogh et al 2008). The zebra mussel, D. polymorpha, appeared and spread throughout Lake Balaton in the 1930s (Sebestyén 1934(Sebestyén , 1937, and it has remained dominant since its introduction.…”

“…In comparison with other European and North American lakes, the density of D. polymorpha can reach very high levels (220,000 ind. m -2 , Balogh et al 2008). The number of successful introductions of invasive species in Lake Balaton has increased since the 1930s, leading to further changes in ecosystem functions and services (Bíró 1997;Muskó et al 2007;Majoros 2009).…”

Paleolimnological reconstruction of the trophic state in Lake Balaton (Hungary) using Cladocera remains

“…Shallow lakes are known to respond sensitively to environmental changes and anthropogenic effects (Whitmore et al, 1996;Kenney et al, 2002;Moss et al, 2003;Padisák & Reynolds, 2003;Väliranta et al, 2005). In such lakes, even small water level shifts may significantly change the relative depth and influence the benthic fauna (Balogh et al, 2008). Consequently, palaeolimnological information is crucial to evaluate the impact of future perturbations in these systems.…”