Its figure is so familiar that for many years we have considered it a household name. This is actually the top pretender of the biological world - McDyce, a mysterious visitor who is neither native nor common.
The secret twin of the grass carp - the silent invasion of the wheat dace.
It's like a spy of nature**, not only because it looks like a grass carp, but also because it's been lurking in our waters for over 40 years and thriving in amazing ways.
The name McDace may be a new word for many fishing enthusiasts. Their bodies are round in shape and their scales are shiny. Their most striking sign is their sharp and highly vigilant red eyes.
The strength of the red-eyed monster even surpassed that of the grass carp, bringing a "surprise" to the fishermen. This demonstration of power did not attract enough attention. People are just amazed at its power, but few people ** the secrets behind it.
How do mackerel not only invade our waters, but thrive in them without being noticed? They are extremely adaptable, able to survive changing water quality, and have an extremely high reproductive capacity.
What's more, human activities have inadvertently facilitated them. For example, wastewater discharges from aquaculture provide an abundance of food**, allowing these "lurkers" to thrive in new environments.
While we are enjoying the delicious taste of grass carp, wheat dace has taken root in our waters. Their successful invasion is not only a challenge to the ecological balance, but also a satire on our perception.
The Mystery of the Invasion: Why Can Wheat Dace "Survive So Well in Our Waters"?
The survival strategy of rohu could be written as a "guide to survival in the water". The first chapter of this guide might be: "What to do when you encounter an unfamiliar environment?" - Reach the top of the food chain. McDace follows this strategy.
These non-picky eaters can devour almost anything they can chew, from aquatic plants to small fish, without any fuss. Their appetite is so great that in new waters they quickly take their place in the food chain.
The wisdom of survival lies not only in "eating", but also in "living". The reproductive capacity of wheat dace is comparable to that of a species with the title of "litter champion". Once the conditions are right, they reproduce in large numbers, and females can lay tens of thousands of eggs at a time, ensuring a numerical advantage of their offspring.
Dace grows so fast that it seems as if time has been sped up. In the blink of an eye, the fry that are the size of sesame seeds today may become a small overlord with a big fist tomorrow. Such a rate of reproduction and growth is unmatched by other species.
Wheat dace can be "like a fish in water" in China's waters, and there is a "top promoter" behind it - human activities. With the development of aquaculture, a large amount of aquaculture wastewater is discharged into rivers and lakes. This wastewater is rich in organic matter and becomes a "nutrient solution" for wheat dace.
In addition, some irresponsible farmers release over-farmed or unnecessary dace directly into natural water bodies in order to save trouble, which undoubtedly gives dace a chance to "free ride". These creatures that don't belong here take root and thrive in our waters.
Wheat dace: an invasive species or an economic resource?
Dace is "at home" in our waters, and we can't help but face a sharp question: Is this outsider an intruder or a valuable economic resource?
The fish was initially seen as a booster of economic development. When it was launched, people were hopeful, but the reality was often unexpected. The original intention of introducing wheat dace was to enrich aquatic resources and increase fishery production. After all, it grows very fast and has a strong reproductive ability. The meat is tough and delicious, and the market demand is huge.
Reality is distorted. Once the species escaped, it became a wild population, showing amazing adaptability and strong vitality in the new environment, so that the species in the original ecological environment began to be threatened.
From a small partner of economic growth to a formidable enemy of environmental balance, McDas's identity is constantly changing.
Due to competition with native species for food and habitat, the population of some small fish and benthic animals has decreased, resulting in a disruption of the balance of the food chain. This impact can lead to the disappearance of some native species or even alter the ecological structure of an entire lake or river.
The aura of "economic resources" that they carry has not completely disappeared. People are beginning to try to turn this challenge into an opportunity through scientific breeding and management, and use it as food** to control their wild populations, trying to find a balance between ecological protection and economic benefits. The road ahead remains uncertain.
Myths and Revelations: How to Properly Identify and Manage Invasive Species.
After exploring McDyce's dual identity, it returns to the public perception platform again. Mackerel and grass carp are often equated. Both are regulars at the dinner table, but their ecological roles are very different.
As a native species, grass carp does not pose a threat to the ecological environment, while mrigal is a typical invasive species.
Misunderstandings may lead to a lack of necessary urgency and correct methods for the prevention and control of invasive species, which can easily lead to a slight neglect of the problem of invasive species and a missed opportunity for control and management.
Raising public awareness of the importance of invasive species is a key part of solving the problem. From reporting to educational curricula, the potential harm of invasive species to the ecological environment should be emphasized. A conscious society is a powerful shield against invasive species.
Getting the right understanding of invasive species is not only the responsibility of ecologists, every ordinary consumer and citizen should be part of this fight. With the right information dissemination and education, people can move from being "overwhelmed" to being "prepared".
China has accumulated valuable knowledge in the management of invasive species. From ignorance to active management, from working alone to working as a team, the pitfalls we have stepped on in the journey of managing invasive species are the cornerstones of future strategy.
The future management strategy will be more scientific, meticulous and far-sighted. Formulate a strict assessment system for the introduction of alien species, and establish a monitoring network and a rapid response and disposal mechanism with public participation.
What do you think differently about the above? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area below to discuss.