Boomers from the upper Midwest may remember the invasive alewife infestation of Lake Michigan of the 60s. They died after spawning in such vast numbers that bulldozers were used to clear them from the beaches[0]. The solution: Coho and then Chinook salmon, that took the alewife population down and introduced the big fish to the sport fishing industry around the lake.
In 1990, the zebra mussels showed up and quickly covered the lake bottom, taking so much nutrient, that the alewife and then salmon populations were in duress.
That makes 3 invasive species, one intentionally introduced, all creating ecological imbalance. It also illustrates how little we can foresee the unintended consequences of attempting to 'sculpt' the systems.
This is a great video showing how precipitously balanced ecosystems really are. The re-introduction of the wolf to Yellowstone park ultimately led to a greater diversity of birds and fish, for example[1].
In 1990, the zebra mussels showed up and quickly covered the lake bottom, taking so much nutrient, that the alewife and then salmon populations were in duress.
That makes 3 invasive species, one intentionally introduced, all creating ecological imbalance. It also illustrates how little we can foresee the unintended consequences of attempting to 'sculpt' the systems.
This is a great video showing how precipitously balanced ecosystems really are. The re-introduction of the wolf to Yellowstone park ultimately led to a greater diversity of birds and fish, for example[1].
[0] https://midwestoutdoors.com/fishing/lake-michigans-chinook-s...
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc52l5ZcAJ0