Succession of the Aquatic Ecosystem
Primary: During the years following the explosion of Mt. Mazama, the 4,000ft deep crater began to fill with water from precipitation. Eventually, it is presumed a bird or group of birds landed on the lake. Their feet would have had any number of algae or phytoplankton attached to them. These algae cells would survive and spread out across the lake. The Drepanocladus moss was one of the original plants to grow in the lake. Some samples from the bottom layers of moss are presumed to be well over 4,000 years old.(CLI)
Secondary: At some point, zooplankton like Daphnia also were brought into the lake by some outside source, most likely a bird as well. The growing populations could have attracted and produced a food source for insects like midge fly larvae and dragonfly nymphs.
Secondary: At some point, zooplankton like Daphnia also were brought into the lake by some outside source, most likely a bird as well. The growing populations could have attracted and produced a food source for insects like midge fly larvae and dragonfly nymphs.