2006
Howard, J. K.; Cuffey, K. M.
The functional role of native freshwater mussels in the fluvial benthic environment Journal Article
In: Freshwater Biology, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 460-474, 2006.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: benthic, biodeposit, California, fluvial, food web, freshwater mussels, functional role, trophic
@article{Howard2006,
title = {The functional role of native freshwater mussels in the fluvial benthic environment},
author = {J. K. Howard and K. M. Cuffey},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Howard_2006_FreshBio.pdf},
doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2427.2005.01507.x},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-02-10},
journal = {Freshwater Biology},
volume = {51},
number = {3},
pages = {460-474},
abstract = {1. Freshwater mussels are the dominant consumer biomass in many fluvial systems. As filter feeding grazers, mussels can remove large amounts of particulate matter from the water column and transfer these resources to the substrate as biodeposits (agglutinated mussel faeces and pseudofaeces). Mussel biodeposits are a nutrient rich and easily assimilated food source and therefore may have significant relevance to benthic community structure. This study examines the functional role of Margaritifera falcata in the South Fork Eel River, California.
2. We addressed two main questions: (i) Do mussels increase benthic resources in this system? (ii) If so, does this alter macroinvertebrate community structure?
3. Measurements and enclosure experiments in the South Fork Eel River show that mussels can play a significant role in local food webs by increasing available fine particulate matter (both organic and inorganic) on the substrate. We document increased benthic macroinvertebrate biomass for predators and collectors (Leptophlebidae) in the presence of mussels, but only in late summer.},
keywords = {benthic, biodeposit, California, fluvial, food web, freshwater mussels, functional role, trophic},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
1. Freshwater mussels are the dominant consumer biomass in many fluvial systems. As filter feeding grazers, mussels can remove large amounts of particulate matter from the water column and transfer these resources to the substrate as biodeposits (agglutinated mussel faeces and pseudofaeces). Mussel biodeposits are a nutrient rich and easily assimilated food source and therefore may have significant relevance to benthic community structure. This study examines the functional role of Margaritifera falcata in the South Fork Eel River, California.
2. We addressed two main questions: (i) Do mussels increase benthic resources in this system? (ii) If so, does this alter macroinvertebrate community structure?
3. Measurements and enclosure experiments in the South Fork Eel River show that mussels can play a significant role in local food webs by increasing available fine particulate matter (both organic and inorganic) on the substrate. We document increased benthic macroinvertebrate biomass for predators and collectors (Leptophlebidae) in the presence of mussels, but only in late summer.
2. We addressed two main questions: (i) Do mussels increase benthic resources in this system? (ii) If so, does this alter macroinvertebrate community structure?
3. Measurements and enclosure experiments in the South Fork Eel River show that mussels can play a significant role in local food webs by increasing available fine particulate matter (both organic and inorganic) on the substrate. We document increased benthic macroinvertebrate biomass for predators and collectors (Leptophlebidae) in the presence of mussels, but only in late summer.
Howard, Jeanette K.; Cuffey, Kurt M.
Factors controlling the age structure of Margaritifera falcata in 2 northern California streams Journal Article
In: Journal of the North American Benthological Society, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 677-690, 2006.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: age structure, annual rings, California, discharge, freshwater mussels, Margaritifera falcata, mortality, recruitment
@article{Howard2006b,
title = {Factors controlling the age structure of Margaritifera falcata in 2 northern California streams},
author = {Jeanette K. Howard and Kurt M. Cuffey},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Howard_2006_Bentho.pdf},
doi = {10.1899/0887-3593(2006)25[677:FCTASO]2.0.CO;2},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-01-01},
journal = {Journal of the North American Benthological Society},
volume = {25},
number = {3},
pages = {677-690},
abstract = {Freshwater mussels are long-lived and relatively stationary organisms that form annual rings, so they provide excellent opportunities for studying how population properties such as age structure relate to environmental influences on recruitment and mortality. We investigated population dynamics of the freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera falcata, in 2 northern California Coast Range rivers, the South Fork Eel and the Navarro. We used field observations and inverse theoretical modeling to assess age structures and identify factors that control population demographics. Distinctly different mortality rates for young (<20 y) and old (≥20 y) mussels were observed in the South Fork Eel, and recruitment and mortality both were related to river discharge regimes. Margaritifera falcata recruited more successfully during low-discharge than during high-discharge years, and a 2-fold increase in discharge caused a 60% decline in recruitment success. Active annual recruitment (˜1100–1800 ind./y) was observed in the South Fork Eel, whereas recruitment has been low or nonexistent during the past 30 y in the Navarro. This difference probably is a consequence of the influence of 2 non-mutually exclusive factors: landuse history and host-fish abundance. The Navarro watershed has extensive timber harvesting and orchard/vineyard agriculture and has had severe declines in fish populations, whereas large sections of the South Fork Eel pass through protected land and the river has retained its historical fish populations. Investigation of the factors that shape local M. falcata population age structures yielded insights into the influence of environmental variables and history on mortality and recruitment that will aid conservation of this endangered family.},
keywords = {age structure, annual rings, California, discharge, freshwater mussels, Margaritifera falcata, mortality, recruitment},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Freshwater mussels are long-lived and relatively stationary organisms that form annual rings, so they provide excellent opportunities for studying how population properties such as age structure relate to environmental influences on recruitment and mortality. We investigated population dynamics of the freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera falcata, in 2 northern California Coast Range rivers, the South Fork Eel and the Navarro. We used field observations and inverse theoretical modeling to assess age structures and identify factors that control population demographics. Distinctly different mortality rates for young (<20 y) and old (≥20 y) mussels were observed in the South Fork Eel, and recruitment and mortality both were related to river discharge regimes. Margaritifera falcata recruited more successfully during low-discharge than during high-discharge years, and a 2-fold increase in discharge caused a 60% decline in recruitment success. Active annual recruitment (˜1100–1800 ind./y) was observed in the South Fork Eel, whereas recruitment has been low or nonexistent during the past 30 y in the Navarro. This difference probably is a consequence of the influence of 2 non-mutually exclusive factors: landuse history and host-fish abundance. The Navarro watershed has extensive timber harvesting and orchard/vineyard agriculture and has had severe declines in fish populations, whereas large sections of the South Fork Eel pass through protected land and the river has retained its historical fish populations. Investigation of the factors that shape local M. falcata population age structures yielded insights into the influence of environmental variables and history on mortality and recruitment that will aid conservation of this endangered family.
2005
Howard, J. K.; Cuffey, K. M.; Solomon, M.
In: Hydrobiologia, vol. 541, no. 1, pp. 229-236, 2005.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: baseline conditions, California, freshwater mussels, stable isotope, trophic
@article{Howard2005,
title = {Toward using Margariitifera falcate as an indicator of base level nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios: insights from two California Coast Range rivers},
author = {J. K. Howard and K. M. Cuffey and M. Solomon},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Howard_2005_Hydrobio.pdf},
doi = {10.1007/s10750-004-5711-4},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-06-01},
journal = {Hydrobiologia},
volume = {541},
number = {1},
pages = {229-236},
abstract = {Measurements of freshwater mussel tissue are potentially very useful for determining base-level isotopic values for food web studies in aquatic environments. As long-lived, filter-feeding organisms, mussels have the potential to spatially and temporally average the isotopic baseline signal. Following from earlier studies that focused on lake environments, this study investigates the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in tissue of the river dwelling freshwater mussel, Margaritifera falcata, in two extensively studied northern California coast range rivers, the South Fork Eel and Navarro. We highlight advantages and challenges for using riverine mussel isotopes as indicators of baselines. δ13C of primary producers is known to vary with habitat along the South Fork Eel channel, but our measurements show no such variations, demonstrating that riverine mussels do preserve a spatially averaged measure of instream derived food sources. Mean δ13C and δ15N are shown to be markedly different in the two rivers, reflecting differences in food sources and possibly watershed land use. We also found that δ15N of mussel tissue increased by approximately 2‰ with mussel age in both rivers. This suggests it is important to consider age and size effects when estimating baseline values from mussel tissues.},
keywords = {baseline conditions, California, freshwater mussels, stable isotope, trophic},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Measurements of freshwater mussel tissue are potentially very useful for determining base-level isotopic values for food web studies in aquatic environments. As long-lived, filter-feeding organisms, mussels have the potential to spatially and temporally average the isotopic baseline signal. Following from earlier studies that focused on lake environments, this study investigates the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in tissue of the river dwelling freshwater mussel, Margaritifera falcata, in two extensively studied northern California coast range rivers, the South Fork Eel and Navarro. We highlight advantages and challenges for using riverine mussel isotopes as indicators of baselines. δ13C of primary producers is known to vary with habitat along the South Fork Eel channel, but our measurements show no such variations, demonstrating that riverine mussels do preserve a spatially averaged measure of instream derived food sources. Mean δ13C and δ15N are shown to be markedly different in the two rivers, reflecting differences in food sources and possibly watershed land use. We also found that δ15N of mussel tissue increased by approximately 2‰ with mussel age in both rivers. This suggests it is important to consider age and size effects when estimating baseline values from mussel tissues.
2003
Howard, Jeanette K.; Cuffey, Kurt M.
Freshwater mussels in a California North Coast Range river: occurrence, distribution, and controls Journal Article
In: Journal of the North American Benthological Society, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 63-77, 2003.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: California, freshwater mussels, geomorphology, hydraulic model, hydrology, microhabitat, shear stress, South Fork Eel River
@article{Howard2003,
title = {Freshwater mussels in a California North Coast Range river: occurrence, distribution, and controls},
author = {Jeanette K. Howard and Kurt M. Cuffey},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Howard_2003_JouNorthAmerBenthoSoc.pdf},
doi = {10.2307/1467978},
year = {2003},
date = {2003-03-01},
journal = {Journal of the North American Benthological Society},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {63-77},
abstract = {We report the occurrence and habitat of mussel populations within a continuous 8-km section of the South Fork Eel River in the Northern Coast Range of California. The primary goals of our study were 1) to compile information on species composition and population density, and 2) to examine whether spatial distribution and variability were related to geomorphology and hydrology. High discharges almost certainly provide more of a constraint on the distribution and persistence of
mussels in the South Fork Eel than do low summer flows, so we used the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model to estimate physical conditions during high flows when in-channel investigations were not feasible. We found numerous individuals of 2 species (Margaritifera falcata and Anodonta californiensis), with the spatial distribution of both species
characterized by high variability. Mussels in this system live almost exclusively in pools (with a few in runs), near the channel banks, and especially among sedge root-mat substrate. In all flow regimes (summer, winter, 5-y flood, and the largest floods on record), we found mussels in areas of lower boundary shear stresses and lower velocities. Our study suggests that, at various spatial scales, mussels appear to be distributed in a manner that protects them from the highest flow-induced stresses.},
keywords = {California, freshwater mussels, geomorphology, hydraulic model, hydrology, microhabitat, shear stress, South Fork Eel River},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We report the occurrence and habitat of mussel populations within a continuous 8-km section of the South Fork Eel River in the Northern Coast Range of California. The primary goals of our study were 1) to compile information on species composition and population density, and 2) to examine whether spatial distribution and variability were related to geomorphology and hydrology. High discharges almost certainly provide more of a constraint on the distribution and persistence of
mussels in the South Fork Eel than do low summer flows, so we used the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model to estimate physical conditions during high flows when in-channel investigations were not feasible. We found numerous individuals of 2 species (Margaritifera falcata and Anodonta californiensis), with the spatial distribution of both species
characterized by high variability. Mussels in this system live almost exclusively in pools (with a few in runs), near the channel banks, and especially among sedge root-mat substrate. In all flow regimes (summer, winter, 5-y flood, and the largest floods on record), we found mussels in areas of lower boundary shear stresses and lower velocities. Our study suggests that, at various spatial scales, mussels appear to be distributed in a manner that protects them from the highest flow-induced stresses.
mussels in the South Fork Eel than do low summer flows, so we used the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model to estimate physical conditions during high flows when in-channel investigations were not feasible. We found numerous individuals of 2 species (Margaritifera falcata and Anodonta californiensis), with the spatial distribution of both species
characterized by high variability. Mussels in this system live almost exclusively in pools (with a few in runs), near the channel banks, and especially among sedge root-mat substrate. In all flow regimes (summer, winter, 5-y flood, and the largest floods on record), we found mussels in areas of lower boundary shear stresses and lower velocities. Our study suggests that, at various spatial scales, mussels appear to be distributed in a manner that protects them from the highest flow-induced stresses.
2002
Cuffey, Kurt M.
Freshwater mussels in a California North Coast Range river: occurrence, distribution, and controls Journal Article
In: Technical completion report (University of California Water Resources Center), Project Number W-933., vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 63-77, 2002.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: freshwater mussels, South Fork Eel
@article{Cuffey2002,
title = {Freshwater mussels in a California North Coast Range river: occurrence, distribution, and controls},
author = {Kurt M. Cuffey},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Freshwater-mussels-in-a-California-North-Coast-Range-river-occurrence-distribution-and-controls_Cuffey_2002.pdf},
year = {2002},
date = {2002-08-30},
journal = {Technical completion report (University of California Water Resources Center), Project Number W-933.},
volume = {22},
number = {1},
pages = {63-77},
abstract = {Freshwater mussels in CaliforniaÕs rivers are potentially very useful as indicators
of watershed health and recorders of watershed changes. We report the occurrence and habitat of mussel populations within a continuous 8-km section of the South Fork Eel River in the Northern Coast Range of California. The primary goals of our study were 1) to compile information on species composition and population density, and 2) to examine whether spatial distribution and variability were related to geomorphology and hydrology. We found numerous individuals of 2 species (Margaritifera falcata and Anodonta californiensis), with the spatial distribution of both species characterized by high variability. Mussels in this system live almost exclusively in pools (with a few in runs), near the channel banks, and especially among sedge root-mat substrate. High discharges almost certainly provide more of a constraint on the distribution and persistence of mussels in the South Fork Eel than do low summer flows, so we used the Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model to estimate physical conditions during high flows when in-channel investigations were not feasible. In all flow regimes (summer, winter, 5-y flood, and the largest floods on record), mussels were found in areas of lower boundary shear stresses and lower velocities. Our study suggests that, at various spatial scales, mussels appear to be distributed in a manner that protects them from the highest flow-induced stresses.},
keywords = {freshwater mussels, South Fork Eel},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Freshwater mussels in CaliforniaÕs rivers are potentially very useful as indicators
of watershed health and recorders of watershed changes. We report the occurrence and habitat of mussel populations within a continuous 8-km section of the South Fork Eel River in the Northern Coast Range of California. The primary goals of our study were 1) to compile information on species composition and population density, and 2) to examine whether spatial distribution and variability were related to geomorphology and hydrology. We found numerous individuals of 2 species (Margaritifera falcata and Anodonta californiensis), with the spatial distribution of both species characterized by high variability. Mussels in this system live almost exclusively in pools (with a few in runs), near the channel banks, and especially among sedge root-mat substrate. High discharges almost certainly provide more of a constraint on the distribution and persistence of mussels in the South Fork Eel than do low summer flows, so we used the Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model to estimate physical conditions during high flows when in-channel investigations were not feasible. In all flow regimes (summer, winter, 5-y flood, and the largest floods on record), mussels were found in areas of lower boundary shear stresses and lower velocities. Our study suggests that, at various spatial scales, mussels appear to be distributed in a manner that protects them from the highest flow-induced stresses.
of watershed health and recorders of watershed changes. We report the occurrence and habitat of mussel populations within a continuous 8-km section of the South Fork Eel River in the Northern Coast Range of California. The primary goals of our study were 1) to compile information on species composition and population density, and 2) to examine whether spatial distribution and variability were related to geomorphology and hydrology. We found numerous individuals of 2 species (Margaritifera falcata and Anodonta californiensis), with the spatial distribution of both species characterized by high variability. Mussels in this system live almost exclusively in pools (with a few in runs), near the channel banks, and especially among sedge root-mat substrate. High discharges almost certainly provide more of a constraint on the distribution and persistence of mussels in the South Fork Eel than do low summer flows, so we used the Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model to estimate physical conditions during high flows when in-channel investigations were not feasible. In all flow regimes (summer, winter, 5-y flood, and the largest floods on record), mussels were found in areas of lower boundary shear stresses and lower velocities. Our study suggests that, at various spatial scales, mussels appear to be distributed in a manner that protects them from the highest flow-induced stresses.