Freshwater mussel conservation: A global horizon scan of emerging threats and opportunities

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  • Authors: Aldridge, David C.; Ollard, Isobel S.; Bespalaya, Yulia V; Bolotov, Ivan N.; Douda, Karel; Geist, Juergen; Haag, Wendell R.; Klunzinger, Michael W.; Lopes‐Lima, Manuel; Mlambo, Musa C.; Riccardi, Nicoletta; Sousa, Ronaldo; Strayer, David L.; Torres, Santiago H.; Vaughn, Caryn C.; Zając, Tadeusz; Zieritz, Alexandra
  • Publication Year: 2023
  • Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
  • Source: Global Change Biology
  • DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16510

Abstract

We identified 14 emerging and poorly understood threats and opportunities for addressing the global conservation of freshwater mussels over the next decade. A panel of 17 researchers and stakeholders from six continents submitted a total of 56 topics
that were ranked and prioritized using a consensus-building Delphi technique. Our 14 priority topics fell into five broad themes (autecology, population dynamics, global stressors, global diversity, and ecosystem services) and included understanding diets
throughout mussel life history; identifying the drivers of population declines; defining metrics for quantifying mussel health; assessing the role of predators, parasites, and disease; informed guidance on the risks and opportunities for captive breeding and translocations; the loss of mussel–fish co-evolutionary relationships; assessing the effects of increasing surface water changes; understanding the effects of sand and aggregate mining; understanding the effects of drug pollution and other emerging contaminants such as nanomaterials; appreciating the threats and opportunities arising from river restoration; conserving understudied hotspots by building local capacity through the principles of decolonization; identifying appropriate taxonomic units for conservation; improved quantification of the ecosystem services provided by mussels; and understanding how many mussels are enough to provide these services. Solutions for addressing the topics ranged from ecological studies to technological advances and socio-political engagement. Prioritization of our topics can help to drive a proactive approach to the conservation of this declining group which provides a multitude of important ecosystem services.

  • Citation: Aldridge, David C.; Ollard, Isobel S.; Bespalaya, Yulia V.; Bolotov, Ivan N.; Douda, Karel; Geist, Juergen; Haag, Wendell R.; Klunzinger, Michael W.; Lopes‐Lima, Manuel; Mlambo, Musa C.; Riccardi, Nicoletta; Sousa, Ronaldo; Strayer, David L.; Torres, Santiago H.; Vaughn, Caryn C.; Zając, Tadeusz; Zieritz, Alexandra. 2023. Freshwater mussel conservation: A global horizon scan of emerging threats and opportunities. Global Change Biology. 29(3): 575-589. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16510.
  • Keywords: conservation, diversity, ecosystem services, freshwater mussel, horizon scan, mussel health, threats, unionid
  • Posted Date: January 24, 2023
  • Modified Date: January 26, 2023

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