In result of two field samplings conducted in May and October 2005, mean weighted density and biomass of Dreissena polymorpha in Lake Naroch were estimated to be 1508 ± 221 ind./m² and 158.4 ± 17.9 g/m². Maximal development of zebra mussel population was observed at depths of 2-4 m. Proportions of zebra mussel in total density and biomass of molluscan complex of the lake were 50-65% and 60-70%, respectively, thus denoting a considerable role which D. polymorpha may play as a host of symbiotic organisms, including parasites.

[Mastitsky SE, Veres YK, Nayarovich OA and Kondobarov SY (2005) Role of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in the structure of malacological complex of Lake Naroch. In: Proc. of the 6th International conf. "Sakharov's Readings: ecological problems of the XXI century", Minsk, 18-19 May 2006. Part 1. A. D. Sakharov's International State Ecological University Press, Minsk: 322-324 (in Russian with English summary)]

Dreissena polymorpha population densities and biomass were followed in three Belarusian lakes with different trophic status over a 12-year period subsequent to initial colonization. In all three lakes zebra mussel population densities did not change once they reached a maximum. Application of the Ramcharan et al. [1992. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 49: 2611-2620] model for predicting population dynamics of zebra mussels was accurate for two of the three lakes studied. Population density appears to depend on the time since initial colonization, relative abundance of substrate available for colonization, lake morphometry and trophic type. Zebra mussel distribution within lakes was highly patchy, but the degree of dispersion decreased over time after initial colonization, which may be a result of saturation of suitable substrates by zebra mussels as populations increase and reach carrying capacity. In lakes where submerged macrophytes are the dominant substrate for zebra mussel attachment, populations may be less stable than in lakes with a variety of substrates, which will have a more balanced age distribution, and be less impacted by year to year variation in recruitment. Dreissena polymorpha usually reach maximum population density 7-12 years after initial introduction. However, the timing of initial introduction is often very difficult to determine. Both European and North American data suggest that zebra mussels reach maximum density in about 2-3 years after populations are large enough to be detected.

[Burlakova LE, Karatayev AY and Padilla DK (2006) Changes in the distribution and abundance of Dreissena polymorpha within lakes through time. Hydrobiologia 571:133-146]

Assessing the spatial distribution of organisms across landscapes is a key step toward determining processes that produce observed patterns. The spatial distribution of an invasive aquatic mollusk, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), was examined in two lake-rich areas (Belarus and midwestern United States) with contrasting invasion histories. Spatial distribution patterns of invaded lakes were determined using Ripley's K. Aggregation of invaded lakes was found at similar spatial extents (<50 km) in both regions; segregation was found at spatial extents >120 km in Belarus. The observed spatial extent of aggregation likely reflected the scale of secondary geographic spread, whereas the scale of long-distance dispersal events was reflected by the spatial extent of segregation. Isolated Belarus lakes were less likely to be invaded than those connected by waterways. Although one-dimensional aggregation of invaded lakes along connected Belarus waterways was not observed, nearest neighbor analysis indicated that zebra mussel dispersal occurred at distances <15 km within these waterways. Based on observed spatial pattern, we concluded that zebra mussels have not yet saturated European and North American lake landscapes, including many suitable lakes. Similar distribution patterns of invaded lakes in Belarus and North America suggest that similar processes have influenced zebra mussel spread in both landscapes.

[Kraft CE, Sullivan PJ , Karatayev AY, Burlakova LE, Nekola JC, Johnson LE, and Padilla DK (2002) Landscape patterns of an aquatic invader: assessing dispersal extent from spatial distributions. Ecological Applications 12(3): 749-759]

The invasion of the freshwaters of Belarus by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas), began at least 200 years ago by the opening of shipping canals linking the Black Sea and Baltic Sea drainage basins. However, zebra mussels have invaded only 93 (16.8%) of 553 studied lakes; at least 20 of these lakes were invaded within in the past 30 years. Zebra mussels were found disproportionately in lakes that were mesotrophic, larger, and had some commercial fishing. Although larger lakes have more intensive fisheries with larger catches, the intensity of the fishery and average catch did not affect the probability of zebra mussel invasion. Zebra mussels were not found in dystrophic lakes (10% of the lakes studied), probably due to their low pH and calcium content. Zebra mussels became locally extinct in one lake due to anthropogenic eutrophication and pollution. Many ecologically suitable lakes have yet to be invaded, which suggests that natural vectors of overland dispersal, e.g., waterfowl, have been ineffective in Belarus. Thus, future spread of this species will continue to depend on human activities such as commercial fishing.

[Karatayev AY, Burlakova LE, Padilla DK and Johnson LE (2003) Patterns of spread of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas)): the continuing invasion of Belarusian lakes. Biological Invasions 5(3): 213-221]