Evaluation of sampling designs to monitor populations of freshwater mussels in small- to mid-sized drainages in the northeastern ecoregion

Publisher: USGS | Science Center: Leetown Science Center (LSC, Kearneysville) | Format: URL

www.lsc.usgs.gov — Freshwater mussels are declining rapidly in response to habitat degradation associated with anthropogenic changes. Williams et. al. (1993) reported that 213 of the 297 recognized taxa are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern. There is a documented need for BRD centers to provide guidance on freshwater mussel ecology in general, More... Freshwater mussels are declining rapidly in response to habitat degradation associated with anthropogenic changes. Williams et. al. (1993) reported that 213 of the 297 recognized taxa are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern. There is a documented need for BRD centers to provide guidance on freshwater mussel ecology in general, and assist in developing techniques to monitor mussel population status in particular. The development of consistent survey techniques for population estimation and determination of population age structure is required to develop management strategies for listed species and those that are in decline. All evaluations of sampling mussels prior to this study consider only one stage of sampling, evaluate only quadrant sampling, or define a limited objective of detecting rare species rather than on estimating density and detecting change in that density. Less...