How does lake michigan connect to a marine ecosystem?

Question

How does lake michigan connect to a marine ecosystem?

Answer 1

I suggest you reading a PDF article ( about 8-paged) to understand and get the answer to your question....Why & HOW?

I am including an awasome link (in my point of view, of course), that fairly deals Michigan lake's ecosystem connection with marine ecosystem.

http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/lakemich/2004up...

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However I will try to summerize and emphasize a few important reasons so to answer your question......

The open lake waters of Lake Michigan consist of both nearshore and offshore waters, including all waters from the offshore edge of coastal wetland slakeward.

Significant changes in the lake ecosystem began in the mid-1800s when large numbers of people began to settle and develop the region. Multiple stressors continue tonegatively impact the open lake ecosystem.

The status of this ecosystem is changing and is heavily dependent on human management through predator fish stocking and control of exotic species such as the sea lamprey and zebra mussel.

Fish communities represent the highest trophic levels within the Lake Michigan aquatic ecosystem. They are also the most visible indicators of ecosystem health and to most people, they represent one of the most important resources of the lake. Originally, Coregonids (including lake whitefish, lake herring, chubs, and ciscoes) dominated the fish communities, successfully inhabiting the many niches within the lake. Following the introduction of the sea lamprey in the 1950s, thepopulation of top predator fish (such as lake trout and burbot) were decimated, and exotic species such as the alewife and rainbow smelt flourished. The alteration of fish communities has been the most obvious impairment to the aquatic ecosystem of

Lake Michigan.........READ MORE here

http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/lakemich/2004up...

SOME CRUCIAL REASONS.....HOW?

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1.  Its Coastal wet land system supports the greatest biodiversity similar to marine ecosystem; ( read page 5)

2. Coastal shore of the lake forms sand dumes, sand beaches, spits,cobbel beaches and island resembeling to marine eco-ssytem ( raed page 6)

3. Very characteristic habitat and fisheries connected to maine eco system; (page 11)

4. rarity of species and land cover similar to marine zone eco-system (raed page 15 onwords)