Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 08052

Branch : Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory

Study Plan Number : 08052

Study Title : Discovery of remnant populations of the endangered dwarf wedgemussel using GIS habitat analysis

Starting Date : 10/01/2006

Completion Date : 09/30/2009

Principal Investigator(s) : Campbell, Cara

Primary PI : Campbell, Cara

Telephone Number : 570-724-3322 ext. 23

Email Address : ccampbell@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND
The dwarf wedgemussel (DWM), Alasmidonta heterodon, is a federally endangered freshwater mussel within the Atlantic Slope fauna. Although historically known from approximately 70 locations within 15 major drainages from New Brunswick to North Carolina, only about 50-60 remain (S. vonOettingen, personal communication), many of which are sparse and non-sustaining (USFWS 1993). Although southern populations of DWM have been disappearing at a startling rate during the past several decades, species extinction has not been considered likely due to population stability in northern systems such as the Connecticut and Delaware River basins. This changed in 2005 when record flooding decimated one of the largest remaining reproductive populations in the Neversink River, New York (Cole and White 2006). The Neversink River population was identified as critical to species survival in the USFWS Dwarf Wedgemussel Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993).
OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a stream segment database for streams within designated Nation Park units.

2. Develop macrohabitat model(s) of stream conditions present within all drainages known to contain viable populations of DWM along the Atlantic Slope.

3. Apply the model(s) through GIS analysis to determine which streams within selected National Park units do not have suitable conditions and are not likely to contain DWM populations.

4. Use field snorkeling surveys to validate the model(s) ability to prediction suitable and unsuitable habitat within the selected parks.
HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
1. The local biological community (mussel and/or fish assemblages) influence dwarf wedgemussel presence/absence.

2. Hierarchical macrohabitat models can predict suitable and unsuitable DWM habitat.

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11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
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Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
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Branch :	Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory
Study Plan Number :	08052
Study Title :	Discovery of remnant populations of the endangered dwarf wedgemussel using GIS habitat analysis
Starting Date :	10/01/2006
Completion Date :	09/30/2009
Principal Investigator(s) :	Campbell, Cara
Primary PI :	Campbell, Cara
Telephone Number :	570-724-3322 ext. 23
Email Address :	ccampbell@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND The dwarf wedgemussel (DWM), Alasmidonta heterodon, is a federally endangered freshwater mussel within the Atlantic Slope fauna. Although historically known from approximately 70 locations within 15 major drainages from New Brunswick to North Carolina, only about 50-60 remain (S. vonOettingen, personal communication), many of which are sparse and non-sustaining (USFWS 1993). Although southern populations of DWM have been disappearing at a startling rate during the past several decades, species extinction has not been considered likely due to population stability in northern systems such as the Connecticut and Delaware River basins. This changed in 2005 when record flooding decimated one of the largest remaining reproductive populations in the Neversink River, New York (Cole and White 2006). The Neversink River population was identified as critical to species survival in the USFWS Dwarf Wedgemussel Recovery Plan (USFWS 1993). OBJECTIVES 1. Develop a stream segment database for streams within designated Nation Park units. 2. Develop macrohabitat model(s) of stream conditions present within all drainages known to contain viable populations of DWM along the Atlantic Slope. 3. Apply the model(s) through GIS analysis to determine which streams within selected National Park units do not have suitable conditions and are not likely to contain DWM populations. 4. Use field snorkeling surveys to validate the model(s) ability to prediction suitable and unsuitable habitat within the selected parks. HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED 1. The local biological community (mussel and/or fish assemblages) influence dwarf wedgemussel presence/absence. 2. Hierarchical macrohabitat models can predict suitable and unsuitable DWM habitat.
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility