The Stealthy Invader: How an Essential Element Can Become Ruinous
A new invader has been discovered in the waters of the North and Baltic seas- and it’s proving to be both essential and ruinous. This secret invader, first discovered in 2018, is a species of microscopic plankton known as Pterosperma. Although Pterosperma is essential for the health of the seas, it can also cause devastating harm. The plankton has the unique ability to form large blooms and can quickly outcompete other species for food, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and a decrease in fish populations. Additionally, the blooms can cause oxygen depletion in the seas, leading to further destruction of the environment. Scientists are now scrambling to understand this mysterious invader and to find ways to manage its population in order to protect the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem.
source: Phys.org