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The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River is the last unimpounded section of the river and contains substrate characteristics (cobble, gravel, sand/silt) suitable for many of the native freshwater mussels known to exist in the Pacific Northwest. Information concerning the native mussel species composition, densities, and distributions in the mainstem of the Columbia River is limited. Under funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Richland Operations Office (DOE-RL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory conducted an assessment of the near-shore habitat on the Hanford Reach. Surveys conducted in 2004 as part of the Ecological Monitoring and Compliance project documented several species of native mussels inhabiting the near-shore habitat of the Hanford Reach. Findings reported here may be useful to resource biologists, ecologists, and DOE-RL to determine possible negative impacts to native mussels from ongoing near-shore remediation activities associated with Hanford Site cleanup. The objective of this study was to provide an initial assessment of the species composition, densities, and distribution of the freshwater mussels (Margaritiferidae and Unionidae families) that exist in the Hanford Reach. Researchers observed and measured 201 live native mussel specimens. Mussel density estimated from these surveys is summarized in this report with respect to near-shore habitat characteristics including substrate size, substrate embeddedness, relative abundance of aquatic vegetation, and large-scale geomorphic/hydrologic characteristics of the Hanford Reach.
During the past three years, weve made significant strides toward documenting distributions and understanding Montanas freshwater mussels through data compilation, inventory and public education. Although the five eastern Montana mussel species (2 native and 3 introduced) have secure populations and are even expanding their ranges, one of the states native species, the western pearlshell, Margaritifera falcata has experienced significant range reductions in the past 100 years, and in 2008 was added to Montanas SOC list as a S2, vulnerable to extinction in the state. Despite finding eight western streams with large viable pearlshell populations (up to 3,000 mussels per km), we have evidence from hundreds of negative surveys documenting the extirpation of the western pearlshell from countless streams and hundreds of river miles throughout the state, as well as dozens of non-viable populations that will be extirpated from streams and whole watersheds (Smith River) within the next 25 years. This fact should be an impetus to continue to research and understand this species in Montana, in addition to actively pursuing restoration projects that would benefit this species or its native fish host the westslope cutthroat trout. We performed extensive surveys in most of the eastern watersheds of the state and report that the largest populations of warm water mussels, notably the native fatmucket and introduced black sandshell (avg. 8.2 and 4 mussels per hour, respectively), are found within the Wild & Scenic Missouri River between Fort Benton and Judith River landing and the Marias River (above Lake Elwell & within 10 miles of the confluence) where fatmucket populations are approaching Missouri River densities (avg. 7 per hr). The native giant floater, Pyganodon grandis is more evenly distributed and abundant in the Northern Glaciated Prairie River Basins compared to central and southeast Montana, but rarely did we find populations exceeding more than 10 mussels per hour. Our surveys in the Yellowstone River indicate that the mainstem river has much lower mussel density overall, with fatmucket catch rates averaging ~1 per hour. Although, large prairie rivers entering the Yellowstone River have higher fatmucket densities: Bighorn and Tongue Rivers averaged 6 and 5 individuals per hour, respectively. We documented the first records of live giant floaters in the Yellowstone Basin at 3 tributary sites (OFallon, Little Porcupine, Tongue River), but no evidence of this species found live in the mainstem. The introduced mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula) has high densities in the lower Tongue River, but was not found live in the mainstem Yellowstone. The introduced creek heelsplitter have increased their upstream distribution in the Milk River system, but not to the extent that the black sandshell have expanded their range. The introduced mussels in Montana do not seem to be negatively affecting the native species, coexistence and non-exclusion is evident in stream reaches documented to have both present. But rather, they seem to be an augmentation to the mussel fauna of the state and in the case of the black sandshell seems to be more viable in the upper Missouri River than in its native sections of the Missouri River where it is in decline. Over the last three years weve given mussel survey and identification workshops to over 65 fisheries biologists and hydrologists in MT & ID to increase the knowledge base, interest and capacity to survey and report mussel populations in all regions of the state. Attendees of these workshops reported back data for an additional 100 survey reaches, including the identification of two new viable western pearlshell sites in 2009. To generate public interest and support of freshwater mussels, we produced a pocket-sized mussel field guide and a full-sized Mussels of Montana Poster which will be distributed around the state from various agency offices and within the science educational system. Increasing interest and knowledge in freshwater mussels and species other than the typical sportfish is essential for the sustainability of these species and for the concern of the health of their aquatic ecosystems.
Cassadaga Creek, located in Western NY state and part of the Mississippi River Drainage Basin, hosts a relatively strong population of native freshwater mussels. During summer 2004 and 2005, a study was preformed to quantify the mussel populations, as well as the environmental parameters impacting them. Results were obtained from analyzing data collected from five water quality sampling sites for both summer 2004 and 2005 for the following environmental parameters: dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, temperature, phosphate, nitrates, chloride, and chlorophyll a. Also, measurements of flow rate and water depth from five water quality sampling sites during summer 2004 and 2005 were obtained. Upon surveying Cassadaga Creek during summer 2004, twelve riffle areas with potential for harboring native freshwater mussels were identified. Within these riffles, eleven native freshwater mussel species were found in summer 2005, including living specimens of the New York State endangered species the Rayed bean (Villosa fabalis). Important findings from the study were that Ross Mills, one of the southernmost sites, appears to have the most ideal water quality in terms of dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, and velocity, as well as the highest quantity, diversity, and density of native freshwater mussel populations in Cassadaga Creek, NY. -- Author abstract.
Freshwater mussels (Order Unionoida) are one of the most imperiled taxonomic groups in North America. Recent attention on population restoration and augmentation in tidal areas of the Delaware Estuary with historic populations has proven challenging. Benthic conditions in urbanized areas may not provide readily suitable habitat to support larger mussel populations. Lower benthic shear stress and increased sediment stability may promote mussel retention and recruitment; however, few studies have examined how such physical factors govern habitat suitability in tidal freshwater systems. Various metrics associated with mussel population robustness and benthic physical conditions were correlated to explore feature of the benthic environment that might govern habitat suitability in the tidal Delaware River. Comparisons among several study sites suggest that sediments with lower percentages of silt, clay, and organic matter along with higher gravel content correlated with higher mussel density and biomass. The high mussel density site, at the Betsy Ross Bridge, demonstrated an average gravel content of 41%, sand 54.4%, and fine particles 4.6%. Particle transport rates over a 3 week period in May-June 2018 were higher at Betsy Ross, which could explain the site's higher percent gravel and lower percent fine sediments. Alternatively, the low mussel density Frankford Arsenal site demonstrated low particle transport and a high percentage fines and lower percent gravel. The low-density Cooper River site, however, demonstrated high particle transport and a high fine particle content and low gravel content. An experiment was designed at the low-density Cooper site to manipulate habitat conditions in order to stabilize sediments, reduce benthic shear stress, and potentially enhance habitat conditions for mussels. In fall 2017, experimental structures comprised of salvaged logs and cobble were constructed along a shallow subtidal shoreline of the Delaware River where the preexisting mussel abundance was greatly reduced compared to a nearby reference site. The structures were oriented to stabilize sediments and reduce benthic shear stress while not interfering with seston delivery. Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagged Utterbackiana implicata and Elliptio complanata were subsequently deployed into each structure and untreated controls. Changes in Plaster-of-Paris "Clod" sphere dissolution rates, sediment grain size, and organic content were monitored for a full year starting in Fall 2017. Dissolution rates of clods were significantly lower in experimental structures and mussel retention averaged 71.6% in structures compared to 67.4% in control plots after 1 year. This suggests that the structures may have served as refugia from high flow that typically mobilize the substrate. If confirmed with extended monitoring, these results should support design of living shoreline projects aimed at boosting populations of native unionids. Bivalve shellfish food conditions in the freshwater tidal Delaware River were monitored from April 2017 to April 2018. Previous studies in the tidal Delaware River characterized general seston and chemical conditions; however, the availability and quality of seston food for bivalve shellfish was less studied. The quantity of food was measured as total suspended solids (TSS) and particulate organic matter (POM) and quality was measured as the percentage organic content, protein content, and carbohydrate content. Seston quantity was found to vary by season, site, and tide, whereas the seston quality was found to vary seasonally and tidally. Compared to previous studies in Delaware Bay and other bivalve food studies, the availability in the freshwater tidal Delaware River did not appear to be limiting bivalve shellfish during this study. As demonstrated in this study, sites like Cooper do have the capacity to support the nutritional needs of more mussels. However, sediment stability and benthic shear stress should be addressed when attempting to augment this population. Future studies to further resolve the relationships and mechanisms between freshwater mussels and the physical habitat constraints in tidal areas will help inform restoration planning and design.
This study examined freshwater mussel communities, population densities and recent impacts in Iowa, USA. Data collected from streams previously surveyed (1984-85) and from field surveys in this study (1998-99) were used to examine presence, absence, abundance and recent changes in presence/absence of mussel species at different spatial scales. Results indicate an association between mussel impacts and agricultural land use in separate analyses examining habitat characteristics at different spatial scales. Analysis of mussel species richness at 118 sites showed sharp declines in species richness over the past decade. Species richness declined most dramatically at sites having 50% riparian woodland along the stream length surveyed. At the watershed scale, species richness declined in watersheds where agricultural land use accounted for 25% of the total land area. Over 38 watersheds, we found that watershed mean mussel density and species richness were best correlated with average watershed slope (topographic relief) and presence of alluvial deposits. An analysis of the influence of riparian and instream characteristics on mussel species richness and population density at 200 sites surveyed in 1998-99 showed that stream shading (an effect of riparian woodland) had a significant positive effect on mussel density and mussel species richness. Mussel species richness was negatively correlated with agricultural nutrients, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). The influence of landscape features on mussel communities is clear in each analysis: degradation of lands adjacent to freshwater ecosystems adversely impacts mussel habitat and the associated mussel communities. These results have important implications in the context of restoration and conservation efforts.
Table of contents
Synthesizes the ecology and natural history of North American freshwater mussels for scientists, natural resource professionals, students and natural history enthusiasts.
The demand for advanced management methods and tools for marine ecosystems is increasing worldwide. Today, many marine ecosystems are significantly affected by disastrous pollution from industrial, agricultural, municipal, transportational, and other anthropogenic sources. The issues of environmental integrity are especially acute in the Mediterranean and Red Sea basins, the cradle of modern civilization. The drying of the Dead Sea is one of the most vivid examples of environmental disintegration with severe negative consequences on the ecology, industry, and wildlife in the area. Strategic management and coordination of international remedial and restoration efforts is required to improve environmental conditions of marine ecosystems in the Middle East as well as in other areas. The NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) held in Nice in October 2003 was designed to: (1) provide a discussion forum for the latest developments in the field of environmentally-conscious strategic management of marine environments, and (2) integrate expertise of ecologists, biologists, economists, and managers from European, American, Canadian, Russian, and Israeli organizations in developing a framework for strategic management of marine ecosystems. The ASI addressed the following issues: Key environmental management problems in exploited marine ecosystems; Measuring and monitoring of municipal, industrial, and agricultural effluents; Global contamination of seawaters and required remedial efforts; Supply Chain Management approach for strategic coastal zones management and planning; Development of environmentally friendly technologies for coastal zone development; Modeling for sustainable aquaculture; and Social, political, and economic challenges in marine ecosystem management.