Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Estonia/Põlula Brook estuary (mid 1800s, Brinbaum 2011 )
Geographic Extent
Estonia-Russia/Narva River estuary (1930s, Birnbaum 2011); St. Petersburg/Russia/Neva River estuary (1980s, Orlova and Panov 2004; Birnbaum 2011); Kotka/Finland/Gulf of Finland (Antzulevich and Lebardin 1990, cited by Orlova and Panov 2004; Orlova et al. 2020)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Canal |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Competition | |
| Fouling of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) by Zebra Mussels occurred in the inner Gulf of Finland, but at lower frequency than seen in North America (Orlova et al. 2006). Impacts on benthic communities were characterized as 'moderate' (Zaiko et al. 2011). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Habitat Change | |
| Zebra Mussels were reported to be increasing water clarity and promoting the growth of benthic algae (Orlova et al. 2006). The scale of these habitat impacts was characterized as moderate (Zaiko et al. 2011). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Trophic Cascade | |
| In the inner Gulf of Finland, Zebra Mussels deposited large quantities of excreted nutrients in sediments, providing nutrition for an increased abundance of deposit-feeding benthos, and promoting the growth of macroalgae (Cladophora sp.) (Orlova et al. 2006). The scale of these impacts on ecosystem function was reported as 'moderate' (Zaiko et al. 2011). | ||
| Ecological Impact | Herbivory | |
| In the inner Gulf of Finland, Zebra Mussels were reported to have a high water clearance capacity, although the effect on phytoplankton biomass was not reported (Orlova et al. 2006). | ||