Sticklebacks in Lake Constance: Population unexpectedly collapses

Scientists are baffled by the sudden decline of the three-spined stickleback population in Lake Constance.

The three-spined stickleback is a small, silvery fish that is found in freshwater lakes and rivers throughout Europe.

In Lake Constance, sticklebacks are an important food source for larger fish, such as perch and pike.

They also play a role in keeping the lake's ecosystem in balance by consuming zooplankton, which can overpopulate if left unchecked.

In recent years, however, the stickleback population in Lake Constance has been declining at an alarming rate.

In 2019, scientists estimated that there were around 10 million sticklebacks in the lake.

By 2022, that number had plummeted to just 1 million.

Scientists are still trying to determine the cause of the stickleback population collapse.

One possibility is that the fish are being outcompeted by other species, such as the invasive round goby.

Another possibility is that the sticklebacks are being affected by pollution or climate change.

Whatever the cause, the decline of the stickleback population in Lake Constance is a serious concern.

The fish are an important part of the lake's ecosystem, and their disappearance could have a ripple effect on the entire food chain.

Scientists are continuing to study the situation and are hopeful that they can find a way to reverse the decline of the stickleback population.