All life is connected to water: the Mississippi River is no exception. With its tributaries winding through 10 states, stretching for nearly two-thousand miles, and flowing for more than three thousand miles, the Mississippi River is an integral part of the lives of many. But what are the defining characteristics of this river’s ecosystem? What is in the Mississippi River?
The Mississippi River is a complex system of freshwater lakes, marshes, swamps, and floodplains. Its waters are used for agriculture, shipping, Industry and recreation, and its ecology is lush and variegated. The river’s aquatic ecological communities consist of a variety of species, beginning with microorganisms. Including protozoans, plankton, and algae, these tiny creatures form the basis of the food web.
Moving up the food chain, the Mississippi River is home to a variety of fish, mussels and amphibians. Freshwater fish common to the river include Bass, Catfish, Carp and Black Crappie, to name a few. Many of these fish spend their adult lives in the river and migrate seasonally to spawn in tributaries. Mussels make up about 20 percent of the Mississippi’s bivalve species, providing aquatic-based cycling of nutrients, oxygen and carbon from the sediment. In addition, the river boasts more than 20 species of frogs, turtles and salamanders, including the American Bullfrog and the Snapping Turtle.
Invertebrates, such as caddisflies and mayflies, are also essential to the river’s functioning. These larvae feed on plankton and organic matter, while providing an important food source for fish. The banks of the Mississippi also provide habitat for community of reptiles and birds. Most iconic among them is the Bald Eagle, which frequents the banks of the upper Mississippi in search of fish.
The family of plants in the Mississippi River is diverse, as well. Species like Cattails and Common Reed line the riverbanks and create a buffer zone that prevents shoreline erosion. These grasses provide habitat for both animals and aquatic vegetation, such as watercress, greater elbows and water starwort.
Man-Made Changes in the Mississippi River
Man-made changes to the Mississippi River and its tributaries affect the river’s ecosystem. Agriculture, shipping, electricity generation, forestry and the construction of levees and dams have all had an effect on the river’s environment. Practices such as dredging and channel altering to control flooding and aid in navigation have altered water transport, destroying fish habitats and degrading aquatic systems, resulting in changes in species abundance and diversity.
Sediment loading, in particular, is a major concern in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, as pollutants have been found in large quantities throughout the system. Industrial activity, the burning of fossil fuels, and agricultural runoff all contribute to sediment loading in the river, causing eutrophication and resulting in significant changes to the Mississippi’s aquatic life, ranging from alteration and extinction of certain species to a decrease in water quality.
Nutrient pollution has caused algae blooms, reducing oxygen to dangerously low levels and affecting aquatic life. Additionally, runoff has caused chronic problems such as erosion, sedimentation and increased turbidity, with the sedimentation leading to low dissolved oxygen levels and a decrease in species diversity.
Restoration and Preservation
In response to these human-induced problems, the United States federal government has implemented a number of restoration and preservation projects for the Mississippi River. Through programs like the Wetlands Reserve Program, the Fish and Wildlife Service has been able to restore crucial wetland habitats in the river’s riparian zones, helping to mitigate chemical and sediment pollution from agricultural and urban runoff.
In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coon Rapids Dam Project is a long-term project to improve the river’s water quality and fish habitat. The project includes the creation of fish habitats, such as rotenone-free areas, and restrictions on fishing techniques that have adverse effects on fish and aquatic life.
Efforts to reduce water pollution, sedimentation and eutrophication have also been undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This work focuses on decreasing the amount of phosphate entering the river. The Corp’s current schedule is to build plants along the river that can reduce the amount of nutrient-laden water from entering the river and to monitor the plants’ efficiency over time.
Conclusion & Long-Term Solutions
The beauty and environmental significance of the Mississippi River is irreplaceable, and the ideal of the river’s health and preservation remains a national goal. The federal government’s current projects are laying the groundwork for a healthier, more balanced future. Policy change, particularly focusing on reducing agricultural runoff, is a necessity in the coming years. It is only through consistent efforts to preserve and protect the river that we can ensure its future as an ecosystem of biological and economic vitality.
