The influence of two differently sized dams on mussel assemblages and growth

Hornbach, Daniel J.; Hove, Mark C.; Liu, Ho Ting; Schenck, Forest R.; Rubin, Diane; Sansom, Brandon J.

doi:10.1007/s10750-013-1743-y

Cited by 7 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…This result suggests that food limitation occurs at locations with large mussel densities, consistent with previously reported experimental results (Silverman et al 1997, Kesler et al 2007, Vaughn et al 2008. However, in nutrient-rich systems, food resource production may outpace food consumption (Strayer 2013, Hornbach et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Coupling freshwater mussel ecology and river dynamics using a simplified dynamic interaction model

et al. 2016

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Freshwater faunal diversity and abundance have declined dramatically worldwide, concurrent with changes in streamflow and sediment loads in rivers. Cumulative effects and interdependencies of chronic covarying environmental stressors can obscure causal linkages that may be controlling the population dynamics of longer-lived freshwater fauna, such as mussels. To understand changes in long-term mussel population density, we developed a dynamic, process-based interaction model that couples streamflow, suspended sediment, phytoplankton, and mussel abundance under the hypothesis that chronic exposure to increased suspended sediment and food limitation are the primary factors controlling native mussel population density in a midwestern USA agricultural river basin. We calibrated and validated the model with extensive survey data from multiple time periods and used it to evaluate changes in mussel abundance at a subbasin scale over decades. We evaluated sensitivity of simulated mussel densities across a range of mortality rates and initial population densities. In scenarios representing altered sediment concentrations, such as might occur with climate or landuse-induced changes in streamflow or sediment generation rates, mussel population density showed critical threshold responses to long-term changes in suspended sediment concentration. This model of mussel population density can be used to test hypotheses about limiting factors, identify priority locations for restoration activities, and evaluate the effects of climate-or landuse-change scenarios.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Coupling freshwater mussel ecology and river dynamics using a simplified dynamic interaction model

et al. 2016

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“…We followed the methods described in Hornbach et al (2014) to assess mussel growth. We measured external shell rings to assess mussel growth of L. cardium.…”

Section: Mussel Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of surrounding land-use on mussel growth and glycogen levels in the St. Croix and Minnesota River Basins

et al. 2019

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Freshwater mussels face threats from climate change and changing land use that are dramatically altering their habitat. The health of mussel populations and the state of current and past environmental conditions can be monitored by measuring mussel growth and glycogen levels. In this study, we measured growth and glycogen levels in mussels from two small river basins impacted by different land uses. The Snake River in the St. Croix Basin, Minnesota, had low levels of suspended sediments and was surrounded mostly by forest and some developed land. The Chippewa, Cottonwood, and Le Sueur rivers in the Minnesota River Basin had significantly higher annual suspended sediment loads and highly agricultural basins. Mussel growth was highest in the Le Sueur and Cottonwood rivers followed by the Chippewa and the Snake rivers. Mussels in the Minnesota Basin rivers all had higher mussel foot glycogen concentrations than the Snake River. These patterns were similar for two mussel species, suggesting that environmental conditions are likely determining levels of growth. Although agriculture had a negative effect on mussel population abundance and diversity, it had a positive effect on growth and glycogen levels.

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“…Vaughn and Taylor (1999); Klos, Rosenberry, and Nelson (2015). This has especially been true below small dams (Haag, 2012;Hornbach et al, 2014;Singer & Gangloff, 2011) where higher densities are attributed to reservoir derived temperature and food enhancements (Gangloff, Hartfield, Werneke, & Feminella, 2011;Hornbach et al, 2014). Larger dams, however, have typically been associated with a reduction in mussel density because of lower mussel reproductive output (Galbraith & Vaughn, 2009, the loss of riverine habitat, the reduction in fish hosts and the release of cold, low oxygen hypolimnetic water (Moles and Layzer, 2008;Haag, 2012).…”

Section: Potential Mechanisms For These Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term decline of native freshwater mussel assemblages in a federally protected river

et al. 2017

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Freshwater systems are increasingly threatened by human impacts. To effectively monitor and manage these systems, reference or baseline conditions need to be documented to establish restoration or management goals. Freshwater mussel (Unionoida) communities are in decline in many river systems worldwide. Yet there are few long‐term quantitative studies in relatively “pristine” habitats that could serve as “reference” locations. Here, we present the results of a 20‐year quantitative monitoring study of mussel assemblages in a federally protected river in the United States. We found significant declines in mussel abundance (41%) and species richness (16%) over the 20‐year period, while mussel species evenness and Shannon's diversity index values increased over time (19.3% and 12.1%, respectively). This, combined with an analysis of community composition change trajectories, suggests the declines were disproportionately higher for common species than for rare species. Variation in life‐history traits of macroinvertebrates is often used to assess the degree of degradation of aquatic systems. Using Haag's (2012) classification of mussel life‐history traits, we found the proportion of opportunistic species (fast growth, high reproductive output, short lifespan) decreased by 65.3%, while the proportion of equilibrium species (slow growth, long lifespan, lower investment in reproduction) increased by 54.6% and the proportion of periodic species (moderate‐to‐high growth rates, low‐to‐intermediate fecundity, lifespan and age at maturity) increased by 82.4%. There were modest changes in human population and land use in the catchment during our study period, and a change in the operation of a hydroelectric dam reduced discharge variability. Sediment size changed at several study sites, increasing at some sites while decreasing at others. This study occurred in one of the best‐protected and most pristine rivers in the upper Midwest of the United States, harbouring one of the region's most intact mussel fauna that could be used as a “reference” to set goals for the restoration of mussel fauna in other river systems. Despite the high quality and protection of this river system, we found slow declines in the mussel community but found no evidence that changes in land use, flow regime, water quality, the spread of invasive species or increased sedimentation were responsible for these declines. The slow decline of mussels and lack of specific causes in such a river underscore the imperilment of this fauna, and the need for more aggressive conservation, management and research approaches.

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The influence of two differently sized dams on mussel assemblages and growth

Cited by 7 publications

References 38 publications

Coupling freshwater mussel ecology and river dynamics using a simplified dynamic interaction model

Coupling freshwater mussel ecology and river dynamics using a simplified dynamic interaction model

Influence of surrounding land-use on mussel growth and glycogen levels in the St. Croix and Minnesota River Basins

Long‐term decline of native freshwater mussel assemblages in a federally protected river

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