Tuesday, May 27, 2008
303

Relationships between benthic sediments, hydrodynamics, and animal occurrences: Identifying appropriate structural habitat for Potamilus capax (Green, 1832)

Nathan C. Young, College of Engineering, Arkansas State University, PO Box 1740, State University, AR 72467, Andrew J. Peck, Department of Environmental Science, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, State University, AR 72467, David Baldridge, Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, PO Box 599, State University, AR 72467, and Alan D. Christian, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125.

     Physical habitat has been identified as a key component in the translocation and restoration of freshwater mussel assemblages.  However, influence of local habitat features on occurrence and movement behavior is not well understood.  This study explores the relationship between individual mussel occurrence, substrate character, and local hydrodynamic features in an effort to develop an appropriate habitat model for the federally endangered Potamilus Capax (Green, 1832) within the St. Francis River basin of northeast Arkansas.

     As part of a larger Endangered Species Act Consultation between US Fish and Wildlife Service and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, P. capax and Quadrula quadrula (Rafinesque, 1820) were monitored in State Line Outlet Ditch, a large agricultural drainage canal in eastern Arkansas, from 2005 to 2007.  Animal occurrence information was collected and mapped at sub-meter accuracy using a global positioning system.  Sediment samples were collected throughout the study area and analyzed via hygrometer.  Spatial variation in sediment character was estimated by Kriging.  Detailed channel geometry was measured by conventional land surveying methods and used to construct two-dimensional finite element hydrodynamic simulations in the study reach.  Data were combined and analyzed to investigate the local influence of physical habitat on mussel occurrence and movement.



Web Page: Mussels, Hydrodynamics, Habitat

See more of Mollusk Poster Session
See more of Contributed Sessions

See more of The Nabs 56th Annual Meeting (25-28 May, 2008)