Can the bio-deposition and physical structure of hyriid freshwater mussels alter benthic algae and invertebrate assemblages in floodplain rivers?

Research output: Other contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

1. Although we know that marine mussels have large effects on ecosystem processes and movement of energy and nutrients throughout the water column and benthos, the functional roles of freshwater mussels in riverine-floodplain environments is less well understood.

2. The aim of this research is to investigate if the bio-deposition and physical structure of the freshwater mussel Alathyria jacksoni (Hyriidae) can influence the distribution and abundance of associated benthic organisms.

3. We conducted a manipulative, in-situ mesocosm experiment for 4 weeks in late summer 2017 in a south-eastern unregulated Australian river, examining the effect of live mussels on benthic nutrient concentrations, and diatom and invertebrates assemblages. We compared the benthos of live mussel, dead mussel and no mussel enclosures. We hypothesised that deposition of faeces and pseudo-faeces by live mussels in and on the sediment would increase local benthic nutrient concentrations, which would in turn increase abundance of periphyton and invertebrates, relative to controls.

4. Benthic organic biomass, and TN, TP, ChlA concentrations were quantified for treatments and controls, as well as abundance and diversity of benthic and shell periphyton and inverbertebrates. Nutrient content and organic matter of biodeposits (TN/TP) and excretion (NH3/FRP/NOX) from mussels was also estimated during the experiment.

5. We discuss our results in light of the role that mussels may have in riverine environment, and in the context of global declines in native freshwater mussels generally.

Conference

Conference5th Biennial Symposium of the International Society for River Science
Abbreviated titleIntegrating multiple values
Country/TerritoryNew Zealand
CityHamilton
Period19/11/1724/11/17
OtherThe 5th Biennial Symposium of the International Society for River Science (ISRS) is being hosted by the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, over 19-24 November 2017, in collaboration with the Waikato River Authority (WRA) and the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society (NZFSS). The conference theme is “Integrating multiple values” addresses a key challenge for water resource managers tasked with achieving outcomes that satisfy growing human demands while protecting environmental values . Science and other forms of environmental knowledge play key roles in understanding issues and developing solutions for river managers, and the 2017 conference will provide a forum for sharing knowledge underpinning management of rivers for multiple goals.
Internet address

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Can the bio-deposition and physical structure of hyriid freshwater mussels alter benthic algae and invertebrate assemblages in floodplain rivers?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this