Why are freshwater mussel populations declining?
• Damming, dredging, and channelization of streams prevent movement of lost fish and destroy stream bottom habitat. • Loss of riparian habitat (stream-side vegetation) increases erosion and fills streams with silt which can smother both mussels and fish • Water pollution (agricultural and urban run-off, industrial discharges) can kill fish, mussels, and other aquatic life. • Competition from the abundant non-native Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea) that often carpet stream bottoms and filter out most food particles. What can be done to protect freshwater mussels? • Support efforts to protect riparian buffers and stream bottom habitat. Leave streamside vegetation in place or restore it by fencing livestock out of streams and planting trees. • Support regulating freshwater mussel harvest.
