Post on 14-Jan-2016
transcript
Freshwater Mussel Recovery for Water Quality and Habitat Improvement in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Danielle KreegerPartnership for the DE Estuary
Rebuilding Bivalve Biodiversity, Populations and Ecosystem Services as a Basis for Ecosystem Restoration
Danielle KreegerPartnership for the DE Estuary
Healthy Bivalves = Healthy Watersheds
Bivalves of the Delaware
DRBC
Crassostrea virginica
Elliptio complanata
Geukensia demissa
11 Other Species of Freshwater Unionid Mussels
Mya arenaria
Rangia cuneata
Corbicula fluminea
Mytilus edulis
Ensis directus
Mercenaria mercenaria
BivalvesOyster Trends
http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=25475
Oyster landings in Delaware Bay: 1880 - 1980s
Oyster Reef Revitalization
Bivalves
Ortmann, A.E. 1919. A monograph of the naiades of Pennsylvania. Part III: Systematic account of the genera and species. Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum 8(1):
Freshwater Mussel Status and Trends
Loss in Biodiversity
Scientific Name Scientific Name DE NJ PAALASMIDONTA HETERODON DWARF WEDGEMUSSEL Endangered Endangered Critically Imperiled
ALASMIDONTA UNDULATA TRIANGLE FLOATER Extirpated ? Threatened Vulnerable
ALASMIDONTA VARICOSA BROOK FLOATER Endangered Endangered Imperiled
ANODONTA IMPLICATA ALEWIFE FLOATER Extremely Rare no data Extirpated ?
ELLIPTIO COMPLANATA EASTERN ELLIPTIO common common Secure
LAMPSILIS CARIOSA YELLOW LAMPMUSSEL Endangered Threatened Vulnerable
LAMPSILIS RADIATA EASTERN LAMPMUSSEL Endangered Threatened Imperiled
LASMIGONA SUBVIRIDIS GREEN FLOATER no data Endangered Imperiled
LEPTODEA OCHRACEA TIDEWATER MUCKET Endangered Threatened Extirpated ?
LIGUMIA NASUTA EASTERN PONDMUSSEL Endangered Threatened Critically Imperiled
MARGARITIFERA MARGARITIFERA EASTERN PEARLSHELL no data no data Imperiled
PYGANODON CATARACTA EASTERN FLOATER no data no data Vulnerable
STROPHITUS UNDULATUS SQUAWFOOT Extremely Rare Species of Concern Apparently Secure
State Conservation Status
Patchy, Impaired
Extirpated
Rare
NEP Study NEP Study AreaArea
•
Culprits
Habitat Loss and Degradation
WaterQuality
Exotic Species
Photo by D. Kreeger
Freshwater Mussel Larvae Require Fish Hosts
Freshwater Mussel Larvae Require Fish Hosts
Fig
ure
fro
m C
um
min
gs
an
d M
ayer
(19
92
).
Most mussels
depend on particular
fish species
Larvae are brooded in the ctenidia
Documenting the Decline
PopulationBiomass
Biodiversity
CTUIR Freshwater Mussel Project
Nature’s BenefitsNature’s BenefitsBivalve Shellfish are Bivalve Shellfish are “Ecosystem Engineers“Ecosystem Engineers”
DK 15
Loss of Ecological Services1. Structure
Binding of Bottom
Bottom Turbulence
Habitat Complexity
2. Function
Suspended Particulates
Particulate N, P
Light
Sediment Enrichment
Dissolved Nutrients
StartStart
8 adult mussels8 adult musselsNo musselsNo mussels
Biofiltration PotentialBiofiltration Potential
Slide from Dick Neves, VA Tech
LaterLater8 adult mussels8 adult musselsNo musselsNo mussels
Slide from Dick Neves, VA Tech
Biofiltration PotentialBiofiltration Potential
Brandywine RiverStudied 2000 - present
Map from The Brandywine River Conservancy
Elliptio complanata
Elliptio complanata
Photos by Kreeger
To Understand EcoServices, Need…
Physiology
PopulationSurveys
Ecology
Monitoring, Variability
Physiology Measurements
e.g., Clearance Rate
In Lab In Field
Population Measurements
Abundance (# m-2, # mile-1)Total Area (m2, river miles)
Size Class Structure
Body Size
Map from The Brandywine River Conservancy
One Mussel Bed in a 6 mile reach of the Brandywine River
Estimated Removal = 7.1 %
Filters >25 metric tons dry suspended solids per year
Data from Kreeger, 2006
Water Processing Estimate
Elliptio complanata
4.3 Billion Elliptio Filter 9.8 Billion Liters per Hour
Bivalves
0.30
0.50
0.70
0.90
1.10
1.30
1.50
Particle Sizes
Do
wn
stre
am R
elat
ive
to
Up
stre
am C
on
cen
trat
ion
May
June
2-3 µm3-4 µm
10-15 µm
4-6 µm
6-10 µm
15-63 µm
Size Selection: particle sizes below a mussel bed
Pennate Diatoms
Phytoplankton
Heterotrophic Protists
Detritus Complex
Centric Diatoms
Bacteria
Natural Diets and Particle Type Selection
Pennate Diatoms
Phytoplankton
Heterotrophic Protists
Detritus Complex
Centric Diatoms
Bacteria
Water Quality & Grazing Impacts of Populations
Susquehanna
Delaware Bay Oysters
Crassostrea virginica
Brandywine River, PA
Geukensia demissa
Delaware Estuary Marshes
Elliptio complanata
Brandywine River, PABrandywine River, PA
Population-Level Water ProcessingB
illi
on
s o
f L
iter
s p
er H
ou
r
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Elliptio complanata
Geukensia demissa
Crassostrea virginica
Restoration of Nature’s Benefits?
BivalvesNature’s Benefits
(aka Natural Capital)
Six Reasons Why We Care
1. BiodiversitySpecies Loss: ↓ Intrinsic Losses
↓ Niches Filled ↓ Human Health
2. Biomass (Populations)
Biomass Loss: ↓ EcoServices
↓ Fish & Wildlife ↓ Human Health
CTUIR Freshwater Mussel Project
3. Bioindicator ValueInternational Mussel Watch
Freshwater Caging Studies
Contaminant and Site-Specific Testing, Monitoring
Tributary and Regional Bioassessment
Deployed Cages
4. Commercial ValueShellfisheriesJewelryPearl Shell Industry
5. Cultural-Historical Native American UsesWaterman LifestyleEcotourism
6. Human HealthPathogen Removal
- filter and digest harmful bacteria and protists
Model Organisms
- for medical sciences (e.g. cancer research)
TMDL applications- can reassembled bivalve communities
help managers address TMDL’s?
Nature’s Benefits (Natural Capital)
Lives
Livelihoods
Health
Livelihoods
Health
DRBC
Desired Watershed Condition:A diverse and robust assemblage of native bivalves living in abundance in all available tidal and non-tidal ecological niches and providing maximum possible natural benefits.
System Linkages ?
DRBC
Crassostrea virginica
Elliptio complanata
Geukensia demissa
11 Other Species of Freshwater Unionid Mussels
Mya arenaria
Rangia cuneata
Corbicula fluminea
Mytilus edulis
Ensis directus
Mercenaria mercenaria
Freshwater Mussel Recovery Program
Elliptio complanata
• Phase 1Prioritize Streamsfor Restoration
• Phase 1Reciprocal Transplantsand Condition Monitoring
Tagging Mussels
Phase 1Reciprocal Transplants and
Condition Monitoring
Cage Deployment
Phase 1Reciprocal Transplants and
Condition Monitoring
Deployed Cages
Matt Gray thesis research (Drexel)
Matt Gray thesis research (Drexel)
Important for Overwintering
Matt Gray thesis research (Drexel)
Important for Reproduction
Phase 2Propagation and Reintroduction
Cheyney Hatchery
Fish Infestation
Fish from Academy of
Natural Sciences
Larval Transformation Into Juveniles
Phase 2Propagation and Reintroduction
Photos, R. Neves, VA Tech
Propagated Juveniles
Freshwater Mussel Recovery Program
0200400600800
1,0001,2001,4001,6001,8002,000
Millions of Liters
Processed
1 2 4 6 8 10 15 30
Years After Planting
Not including progeny
Goals Based on Ecosystem Services
• Range Shifts with No Dispersal• Habitat Degradation (T, salinity, pH, fish hosts)
Bivalve Vulnerability?
Freshwater Mussel Beds
• Loss and Degradation of Wetland Habitat• Others: Food, PH
Salt marsh Mussel Beds
• Salinity Driven Disease Epizootics• Others: Food, pH
Oyster Reefs
Scientific Name Scientific Name DE NJ PAALASMIDONTA HETERODON DWARF WEDGEMUSSEL Endangered Endangered Critically Imperiled
ALASMIDONTA UNDULATA TRIANGLE FLOATER Extirpated ? Threatened Vulnerable
ALASMIDONTA VARICOSA BROOK FLOATER Endangered Endangered Imperiled
ANODONTA IMPLICATA ALEWIFE FLOATER Extremely Rare no data Extirpated ?
ELLIPTIO COMPLANATA EASTERN ELLIPTIO common common Secure
LAMPSILIS CARIOSA YELLOW LAMPMUSSEL Endangered Threatened Vulnerable
LAMPSILIS RADIATA EASTERN LAMPMUSSEL Endangered Threatened Imperiled
LASMIGONA SUBVIRIDIS GREEN FLOATER no data Endangered Imperiled
LEPTODEA OCHRACEA TIDEWATER MUCKET Endangered Threatened Extirpated ?
LIGUMIA NASUTA EASTERN PONDMUSSEL Endangered Threatened Critically Imperiled
MARGARITIFERA MARGARITIFERA EASTERN PEARLSHELL no data no data Imperiled
PYGANODON CATARACTA EASTERN FLOATER no data no data Vulnerable
STROPHITUS UNDULATUS SQUAWFOOT Extremely Rare Species of Concern Apparently Secure
State Conservation Status
Shifts in Species Ranges of Shifts in Species Ranges of Freshwater MusselsFreshwater Mussels
Patchy, Impaired
Elliptio complanata
Rare
Strophitus undulatus
Extirpated
Alasmidonta heterodon
Tough Decisions Which species and associated benefits can be
sustained?Which should we invest in? (since funding will
always be limited)
Summary
• Like marine species, freshwater mussels provide multiple benefits to people
DRBC
• Freshwater mussels are great targets for “ecosystem-based management.” If they are present, diverse and abundant, then the system is healthy
• Restoring mussel species and populations can improve water quality and ecological health downstream
• Freshwater mussels are the most imperiled plants and animals, including in our watershed
- End -
www.DelawareEstuary.org