Ecosystem services provided by the exotic bivalves Dreissena polymorpha, D. rostriformis bugensis, and Limnoperna fortunei

Abstract

The ecosystem services approach to conservation is becoming central to environmental policy decision making. While many negative biological invasion-driven impacts on ecosystem structure and functioning have been identified, much less was done to evaluate their ecosystem services. In this paper, we focus on the often-overlooked ecosystem services provided by three notable exotic ecosystem engineering bivalves, the zebra mussel, the quagga mussel, and the golden mussel. One of the most significant benefits of invasive bivalves is water filtration, which results in water purification and changes rates of nutrient cycling, thus mitigating the effects of eutrophication. Mussels are widely used as sentinel organisms for the assessment and biomonitoring of contaminants and pathogens and are consumed by many fishes and birds. Benefits of invasive bivalves are particularly relevant in human-modified ecosystems. We summarize the multiple ecosystem services provided by invasive bivalves and recommend including the economically quantifiable services in the assessments of their economic impacts. We also highlight important ecosystem disservices by exotic bivalves, identify data limitations, and future research directions. This assessment should not be interpreted as a rejection of the fact that invasive mussels have negative impacts, but as an attempt to provide additional information for scientists, managers, and policymakers.

Effects of Artificial Zebra Mussel Druses on Macroinvertebrate Communities and Benthic Carbon Accumulation

“…This correlation has also been documented on dead Zebra Mussel shells (Botts et al 1996, Gonzales and Downing 1999, Horvath et al 1999, Ricciardi et al 1997), suggesting physical habitat may be the primary driver. However, the ability of Zebra Mussels to filter nutrients from the water column (Burlakova et al 2023. Karatayev et al 2002 Strayer et al 1999), as well as the propensity for biodeposits to become resuspended (Hecky et al 2004, Nalepa et al 2009), has made it nearly impossible to disentangle the physical and biological effects on macroinvertebrate communities.…”

“…As Dreissenid mussels continue to invade new waterbodies, it will be crucial to understand the expected impacts of this ecosystem engineer (Burlakova et al 2023), as well as the likely mechanisms for possible changes. To our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the potential effects of future Zebra Mussel invasion on benthic communities using artificial druses in an uninvaded ecosystem.…”

“…As ecosystem engineers, Zebra Mussels restructure aquatic ecosystems both physically and biologically (Burlakova et al 2023, Emery-Butcher et al 2020). Heterogenous concentrations of both living and dead shells increase structural complexity of bottom substrates (Bially and MacIsaac 2000, Nalepa et al 2003).…”

An abundant future for quagga mussels in deep European lakes

“…For instance, clearer water can be more inviting for swimming, boating, and scuba diving, although quaggas also foul beaches, boats, docks and piers. Increases in water clarity can increase the value of shoreline properties (Limburg et al 2010, Burlakova et al 2022). Water infrastructure including collecting stations for drinking water are typically placed around 60 meters depth in deep European lakes because the bivalves which were present at the time of construction were restricted to the upper 40 m of water (Wacker and Von Elert 2003).…”

Recent advances in availability and synthesis of the economic costs of biological invasions

“…Part of this criticism relates to the fact that innocuous species, ancillary costs, and failed eradication programmes are potentially dominating and/or biassing cost analyses at present. Based on selected examples of species, it has also been argued that benefits of invasions might even outweigh costsfor example, the ecosystem services provided by exotic bivalves (Burlakova et al 2022).…”