Lake Erie Is Dying (Again)

Deadly algae and invasive species are choking the life out of Lake Erie. It recovered from near-death 40 years ago, but the regulations that helped save it last time are under increasing attack.

1 minute read

September 1, 2011, 11:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Invasive algae has overtaken Lake Erie, and biologists say the ecosystem is in real danger of collapse:

"The lake's center contains a growing dead zone, devoid of oxygen during summer months. Invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels are wreaking havoc with its ecology. The fish that make Lake Erie a tourism draw, including yellow perch and smallmouth bass, are seeing their predators grow and their habitats shrink."

Writer Barry Yeoman says there is plenty of blame to go around:

"...from changing agricultural methods to inattentive politicians to weaknesses in our nation's bedrock environmental protections -- many of which can partially trace their existence to concern over Lake Erie in the first place."

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 in OnEarth

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