If lake sturgeon are introduced into an ecosystem, which population is likely to decrease?

Introducing lake sturgeon into an ecosystem can significantly impact the food web dynamics, particularly involving the populations of insect larvae. Lake sturgeon are known to be benthic feeders, primarily consuming a diet rich in invertebrates, including various species of insect larvae found on the lake bottom.

As lake sturgeon establish their presence and seek food, they can lead to increased predation on these larvae. This predation pressure can cause a decline in the populations of insect larvae, as their numbers can struggle to keep up with the consumption rates by the sturgeon. The reduction in insect larvae can subsequently affect various other components of the ecosystem, including species that rely on these larvae as a food source.

In contrast, the lake sturgeon population may not necessarily decrease initially, as they are an introduced species, and external factors like habitat quality will determine their chances of survival. Additionally, the introduction of sturgeon is unlikely to directly lead to decreased bird populations simply based on the introduction of a new species; it would depend more on the specific interactions and the habitat dynamics at play. Algae populations would typically not be affected directly by the introduction of sturgeon in a significant way as they are not directly competing with algae, which are primary producers.

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