Zebra mussels sign, Antrim
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Zebra mussels sign, Antrim by Albert Bridge as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Zebra mussels sign, Antrim
Image: © Albert Bridge Taken: 18 Dec 2009
The non-native zebra mussel first appeared in Lough Neagh in 2005. The Habitas website describes them thus: “Ecological impacts are varied and unpredictable. Zebra mussels change nutrient cycles, filter out phytoplankton which forms the basis of the food chain, increase water clarity and increase plant growth around lake margins. They reduce the amount of zooplankton, an important fish food. Colonies of zebra mussels change the habitat of other invertebrates and they attach to native mussel species causing their local extinction. Changes in fish populations can also occur as zebra mussels colonise spawning grounds, change habitat and food sources.” The sign is beside the Sixmilewater close to where it enters Lough Neagh Image
Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Image Location
Latitude
54.716135
Longitude
-6.239066