GEF

Unit 2  |  Water Science and the Water Cycle 52 Retreating mountain glaciers are a cause of concern for climate scientists. 2.3  Aquatic Ecosystems An aquatic ecosystem is a biological community of plants, ani- mals, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in a body of water. A disruption within an aquatic ecosystem can have unforeseen and sometimes dramatic consequences. For instance, zebra mus- sels, small freshwater invertebrates native to Russia, have been accidentally introduced into water bodies inWestern Europe and North America. In some lakes, populations of these inva- sive species have exploded, out-competing native mussels and clams, clogging water intake pipes, and even causing outbreaks of avian botulism, a deadly disease in birds. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM Biological communities of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in a body of water. INVASIVE SPECIES A biological species that is accidentally or intentionally brought from one area to another, causing damage to native ecosystems.