What is the effect of herbicide treatments on invertebrate populations?

Herbicide treatments in aquatic environments typically aim to target specific plants; however, these treatments can significantly impact invertebrate populations. The correct understanding is that herbicide applications may initially lead to an increase in the number of certain invertebrate species, especially those that thrive in areas where aquatic vegetation has been reduced. This decrease in plant biomass can lead to an initial increase in available resources for some invertebrate species that may use the remaining habitat more efficiently or that capitalize on the altered ecosystem.

However, while there may be an increase in the number of some invertebrates, these treatments often reduce overall species diversity. This can happen because the herbicides may be broad-spectrum, affecting a wide range of organisms and leading to a decline in sensitive species. As a result, the overall biodiversity can decrease, and the ecosystem may become dominated by fewer, more resilient species. Thus, the assertion that herbicide treatments cause an increase in the number of certain invertebrate populations while simultaneously resulting in a loss of biodiversity, leading to fewer species overall, supports the chosen answer.