Download or read book Modeling Freshwater Mussel Distribution in Relation to Biotic and Abiotic Habitat Variables in the Middle Fork John Day River Oregon written by Ericka E. Hegeman and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 57 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: PUBLIC ABSTRACT: Freshwater mussels are the most threatened taxonomic group in North America with extinction rates that exceed those of many species found in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems including fish, birds, and amphibians. Part of the reason that mussels are so threatened is because their larvae are parasitic on fish, making the completion of their life cycle dependent upon healthy fish populations. The imperilment of freshwater mussels is a cause for concern because of the benefits that mussels provide to freshwater ecosystems including habitat enhancement, substratum stabilization, nutrient cycling, and water clarification. Restoration and conservation efforts targeting western freshwater mussels have been constrained by a lack of information about habitat requirements. As a result, I was interested in investigating how mussel density and distribution varied with respect to both biotic and abiotic factors at multiple spatial scales. I used a modeling approach to determine which habitat parameters were associated with mussel distribution and density throughout a 55-kilometer (km) of the Middle Fork John Day River, Oregon. Parameters included physical stream habitat characteristics, host fish presence, water quality measures, and mussel food quantity and quality. Results of this analysis indicated that mussels responded to the hierarchical arrangement of physical habitat from the valley segment to the channel unit and that higher densities of mussels were found in parts of the river that were more stable at high flows. I found that the distribution of host fish was not limiting to mussels in this river system and that the overall physical habitat characteristics such as gravel size, silt cover, and woody debris were most important to explaining mussel density and distribution. These results will assist mussel restoration efforts by providing specific guidance about the types of habitat conditions that are suitable for mussels at multiple spatial scales.

Download or read book Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences written by and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 738 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Freshwater Mussel Ecology written by David L. Strayer and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2008-06-10 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pearly mussels (Unionoidea) live in lakes, rivers, and streams around the world. These bivalves play important roles in freshwater ecosystems and were once both culturally and economically valuable as sources of food, pearls, and mother-of-pearl. Today, however, hundreds of species of these mussels are extinct or endangered. David L. Strayer provides a critical synthesis of the factors that control the distribution and abundance of pearly mussels. Using empirical analyses and models, he assesses the effects of dispersal, habitat quality, availability of fish hosts, adequate food, predators, and parasites. He also addresses conservation issues that apply to other inhabitants of fresh waters around the globe and other pressing issues in contemporary ecology.

Download or read book Freshwater Mussel Distribution Abundance and Habitat Use in the Middle Klamath River written by Marie Louise Westover and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Modeling Mussels written by Cara S. Weggler and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As filter feeders, North American freshwater mussels (Unionoida) are important for maintaining the quality of freshwater ecosystems. While North America has the most unionid species in the world, land-use modifications, impoundment of rivers, and invasive species have made unionids some of the most imperiled organisms in North America. It is therefore imperative that we thoroughly examine and understand unionid population and habitat characteristics to better conserve this species and maintain aquatic biodiversity. Macalester College's Aquatic Ecology Lab has monitored unionids in the St. Croix River for almost twenty years. Using their database, I completed a retrospective study investigating habitat and biogeographic variables and their influence associated with mussel distributions. Trends in the data indicated that higher mussel densities were associated with areas of Sub-critical flow (low Froude number), low shear stress, and coarse substrate but not with water depth & velocity. Also mussel species richness declined with greater distance upstream from the Mississippi. While both biogeographic and habitat factors were indicated as significant in determining mussel distributions (i.e. p-value

Download or read book Freshwater Mussels in a California North Coast Range River written by Kurt M. Cuffey and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Mussel Habitat Mapping in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area BISO written by and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new method to map freshwater mussel habitats was developed and tested in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BISO). The procedure involved using an Underwater Video Mapping System (UVMS) to record river substrate information in conjunction with Global Positioning System (GPS) to create geo-referenced video footage. Simultaneously, the river surface features were video-recorded using a similar geo-referenced video mapping system. Images from both videos were evaluated and used to produce habitat classifications in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format. The focus of the project was on mapping attributes in the river that are significant to freshwater mussel habitats. These attributes characterize river sections as either favorable or unfavorable to freshwater mussel populations. The attributes specifically selected were based on the habitat suitability needs of five federally endangered species of mussels that exist in BISO. By developing a GIS map of the habitat attributes, biologists knowledgeable in the needs of both adult and juvenile mussels of various species can identify locations suitable for augmenting mussel populations and habitat health. This project was conducted in 2004 and involved mapping river habitat in over 27.8 km (17.3 mi) of river in BISO. There are 182.2 km (113.2 mi) of river within BISO, so this assessment encompasses 15 % of the river mileage within the park. Most previous mussel studies have not evaluated long segments of river habitat. This work provides continuous mapping of several contiguous kilometers of river. The findings were stored in a GIS format and used to identify locations for possible re-introduction and management of mussels. Three sections of river in BISO were evaluated. The river segments were chosen to represent river conditions found in different parts of the park. The three sections studied were the Clear Fork Section in the southwest corner of BISO (in TN), Alum Ford Section at the northern park border (in KY), and the Leatherwood Ford Section in the middle of the park (in TN). In-stream physical habitat characteristics were captured by video cameras at the water surface and underwater. The images were then classified into habitat categories that are either favorable or unfavorable to the mussel populations. Applying UVMS technology was a unique way to gather habitat attributes and create maps. Five primary habitat attributes were evaluated. These attributes were: flow characteristics of the river (pool, run, and riffle), river depth, substrate classification, embeddedness of the substrate, and the presence of coal contamination. The UVMS above-water camera system was very successful in evaluating the flow characteristics of the river (distinguishing between pool, run, and riffle) in the three study sections in BISO. The UVMS underwater video footage was used to classify substrate characteristics. The evaluation for the presence of coal deposits indicated the Clear Fork Section did not have coal deposits in the video footage, whereas the Leatherwood Ford and Alum Ford sections had a significant amount of coal in the river. The UVMS was successful at locating areas of possible habitat for the five mussel species of interest. These areas are mostly in clusters along the river. There is significant overlap in the suitable habitat areas identified among the five species, largely because several of the species prefer similar habitat attributes. Four of the species require riffles for optimal habitat, and the flow characteristics in the Clear Fork and Leatherwood Ford sections provided this type of habitat. The other species was a pool-loving species, which had more optimal habitat in the pool segments in the Leatherwood Ford Section. The Alum Ford Section did not have any suitable mussel habitat because the impounded river forms a reservoir. The intermittent substrate classification points on the lake bottom showed continuous silt, which does not provide suitable habitat for any of the five species of endangered mussels. Out of the total 1,207 sites evaluated for habitat suitability, the majority were unsuitable as mussel habitat. The total number of suitable habitat sites identified per species ranged from 109 to 548 (this is the combined total for optimum, suboptimum and marginally suitable habitat). Mussels are very specific in terms of the habitat they thrive in, so a method to systematically identify these locations is a valuable tool. Overall very few areas of optimal habitat were identified. For the four species that thrive in riffle habitats, two (or less) optimal habitat sites were identified per species. The fifth species, the Cumberland Elktoe, thrives in pools. Over the length of the mapped rivers there was considerably more length of pool than riffle, so there were more opportunities for desirable habitat for this pool-loving species; 19 optimal habitat sites were identified. When the habitat criteria were expanded to encompass suboptimal and marginal criteria, the number of suitable habitat sites increased dramatically for all of the species. For each of the four riffle-loving species the expanded criteria identified suitable habitat in approximately 10% of the classified points. For the pool-loving Cumberland Elktoe, the expanded criteria identified suitable habitat in almost 50% of the classified points.

Download or read book Environmental Geologic and Antrhopogenic Determinants of Freshwater Mussel Bivalvis Unionidae Distribution in an Agricultural Watershed in Southeastern Michigan written by Sarah Elisabeth Kopplin and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 162 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Predicting Mussel Species at Risk Distributions in Southwestern Ontario Rivers Using Spatial Distribution Models and the Aquatic Ecosystem Classification Method written by Scott Reid and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "By identifying relationships with abiotic and biotic factors, output from species distribution models can help to identify the boundaries of aquatic species at risk critical habitat, direct inventories, and define the spatial units for long-term population monitoring. In this study, we tested whether SDMs can be developed from existing southern Ontario occurrence data for five mussel species at risk using MaxEnt software, a program for modelling species distributions with presence-only species records. Models were built using species presence and abiotic attribute data for the Ausable, Bayfield, Grand, Thames, and Sydenham rivers. Abiotic attributes included: channel slope, riparian and catchment forest cover, summer water temperature, surficial geology, and upstream catchment area. Attributes were based on the provincial Aquatic Ecosystem Classification (AEC) scheme. Strongly supported distribution models were developed for all five mussel species, with 2 to 4 influential predictor variables being identified for each species. Predictors identified consistently across species as influencing habitat suitability were summer water temperature and upstream contributing area. Other informative variables (i.e., geology and tree cover) were only identified for more widespread species (e.g., Wavy-rayed Lampmussel). The number of informative predictor variables for rarer species (e.g., Fawnsfoot) may be limited by the small number of species records, which could be addressed through future inventories. Incorporating the influence of anthropogenic stressors and host fish availability would also improve MaxEnt models but does require the compilation of additional databases"--Abstract, page vi.

Download or read book Mussel Assemblage Structure Relative to Biotic and Abiotic Factors in Sinking Creek Kentucky written by Amanda M. Rainwater-Bradshaw and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 64 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The objectives of this study were to determine the importance of a variety of physical and chemical habitat variables, and host fish populations, to the mussel community in Sinking Creek, a fourth order tributary to the Rockcastle River in Laurel County. Eight species of mussels inhabit Sinking Creek, including the federally endangered Villosa trabalis and Alasmidonta atropurpurea. Mussels were sampled, fish collected and physical and chemical habitat variables measured at eleven sites. Relationships among physical and chemical variables with the mussel community and relationships between mussel and fish community composition were determined by testing for correlations between distance matrices. Several habitat variables were found to be correlated with mussel community composition, i.e., flow, temperature, percent canopy, turbidity, and acidity. No correlation was found between habitat variables and fish populations. Of note was that only two specimens of Alasmidonta atropurpurea were collected during the study (July-September 2002).

Download or read book Biotic and Abiotic Factors Relating to Distribution of Unionid Mussel Species in Lake St Clair written by and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Improving the Conservation of a Cryptic Endangered Freshwater Mussel parvaspina Collina Through the Use of Environmental Dna and Species Distribution Modeling written by Bonnie April Roderique and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Conservation efforts that involve habitat protection, population augmentation, and species reintroductions require knowledge of the habitat requirements, distribution, and abundance of a species--information that can be challenging to acquire, especially for rare organisms with patchy distributions. In this thesis, I develop a protocol for the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) and create a Species Distribution Model for the endangered James spinymussel, Parvaspina collina (Unionidae). The results of this work show that eDNA is a robust tool for identifying species presence but not for estimating the relative abundance of populations. This study found that P. collina's distribution is influenced by abiotic habitat characteristics related to sedimentation and runoff rather than by the distribution of its host fishes. The predicted habitat suitability was used to identify locations of priority conservation concern and these results can be used to direct future sampling efforts, identify potential dispersal routes, and inform conservation decisions.

Download or read book Modeling the Variable Effects of Low head Dams on Freshwater Mussel Assemblages written by Tara Michele Early and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Environmental Impact Research Program Gravel Bar Mussel Communities A Community Model written by Andrew C. Miller and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 71 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Literature and field data were synthesized to prepare a community model for thick-shelled unionid mussels (Quadrula, Amblema, Plectomerus, Megalonaias, Obovaria, and Obliquaria, etc.) that are found in gravel substrate in medium- to large-sized rivers. This model, developed for use with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, can be used for general planning purposes, and to gain a a more complete understanding of the biology and ecology to thick-shelled freshwater mussels. The distribution of these species, with respect to the following physical and chemical variables, is reviewed: water velocity, particle type, sediment stability, deposited sediment retained annually, minimum depth, maximum sustained water temperature, minimum sustained dissolved oxygen, and calcium hardness. Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of large river systems where these organisms are found are reviewed. The biology and ecology of freshwater mussels, including feeding, locomotion, behavior, reproduction, and early development, are discussed. Keywords: Habitat; Marine biology; Ecology; Environmental impact.

Download or read book Relation of Physical Factors to the Behavior and Distribution of the Freshwater Mussel Margaritifera Falcata Gould written by Sue Koenig and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Comparing Life History Traits and Responses to Environmental Variation Between Mussel Species in the San Saba River written by Kayla Hayes and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Freshwater mussel species (Unionidae) can vary considerably in their life history traits (e.g., longevity) and mussels with different life history strategies may dominate in different types of habitat. Unfortunately, data on life history traits are still missing for many species, and the factors that determine freshwater mussel distribution along a river are not well understood. Such information, however, is crucial for the conservation of this highly imperiled group of organisms. The objectives of my study were to (1) determine the maximum age and growth constant for three mussel species with different life history strategies; and (2) to perform translocation experiments at two spatial scales (within and between river segments) where mussels were moved to locations from which they were absent to determine if local habitat conditions were limiting their survival and performance. The translocation experiments were carried out in the San Saba River, Texas, using mussels with two different life history strategies (opportunistic and equilibrium). Thin sectioning of mussel shells and analyzing their size in relation to the number of annuli showed that the maximum lifespan differed considerably between species and was highest for Cyclonaias petrina (31 years), lowest for Utterbackia imbecillis (9 years), and intermediate for Lampsilis bracteata (16 years). In contrast, growth constants were rather similar between species. The translocation experiments showed that local habitat conditions are limiting the opportunistic species (U. imbecillis) more strongly than the equilibrium species (C. petrina and pustolosa). Detection was considerably and consistently lower and mortality higher for U. imbecillis that were translocated to a habitat from which they were absent. Responses of C. petrina and C. pustolosa to translocation provided mixed evidence. Although several measures (e.g., mortality and glycogen within the lower segment, growth between segments) indicated that mussels performed better in the control habitat, it was not a consistent pattern. This suggests that other factors, which may affect earlier life stages not tested here, may limit their distribution. Detection of Cyclonaias declined considerably in a treatment pool in the upper segment after a flooding event, whereas it remained high in the upper riffle. Thus, disturbance may play an important role for the distribution of mussels, which should be investigated further by future studies. The study shows that suitable habitat is not necessarily indicated by presence of mussels especially those with different life history strategies, which needs to be considered in relocation efforts.

Download or read book Biogeomorphic Impacts of Freshwater Mussels on Reach scale Geomorphology in the Sipsey River of Alabama written by Gregory Wayne Shafer and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Freshwater mussels are burrowing, filter feeding organisms that were once widespread prior to river regulation but now face extinction or extirpation in many rivers of North America. The lifespan of some species can exceed a century and population densities have the potential to reach one hundred individuals per square meter in some rivers of Alabama. The functional traits of mussels, combined with their long lifespan and ability to occur in high-densities, suggest that they could impact reach-scale sediment processes, involving sediment transport and bank erosion, potentially leading to changes in channel morphology. Few studies, however, have examined ecosystem engineering by mussels and their potential effects on spatio-temporal changes in river morphology. We tested whether four, high-density mussel aggregations (> 14 ind/m2) influenced lateral river migration and bank erosion rates in a 48-km segment located in the Sipsey River of Alabama (USA). We digitized and compared riverbank positions of the study reach on georeferenced historical aerial images from 1965 and images from 2018. Above average rates of lateral migration (>0.2 cm per year) and bank erosion (>33 cm3 per year) occurred at all observed high-density mussel reaches. We observed the presence of mid-channel bars persisting for the duration of the 53-year study period immediately downstream of each high-density mussel location. Additionally, we tested whether mussel population densities can be used to predict locations of reach-scale riverbank erosion. We quantified bank erosion, mussel density, median particle size distribution, and determined bank erosion hazard index (BEHI) scores at 44 transects located within three reaches. We created a stepwise, linear regression model to determine the effect of mussel population density on bank erosion. Mussel density was a stronger predictor (r2= 0.25) of riverbank erosion than most BEHI metrics, including root depth (r2= 0.06) and bank height/bank full (r2= 0.01). The results of this study provide a critical step toward understanding reciprocal relationships between abiotic and biotic systems and new insights into the evolution of channel morphology not previously considered. Future river restoration projects should consider that many organisms, not just abiotic factors, can create biogeomorphic change of river geomorphology.