Strategies for the conservation of endangered freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera L.): a synthesis of Conservation Genetics and Ecology
By J. Geist. Hydrobiologia, 2010
391 citations recorded by the source corpus.
Freshwater pearl mussels (Margartifera margaritifera L.) are among the most critically threatened freshwater bivalves worldwide. The pearl mussel simultaneously fulfils criteria of indicator, flagship, keystone and umbrella species and can thus be considered an ideal target species for the process conservation of aquatic ecosystem functioning. The development of conservation strategies for freshwater pearl mussels and for other bivalve species faces many challenges, including the selection of priority populations for conservation and strategic decisions on habitat restoration and/or captive breeding. This article summarises the current information about the species’ systematics and phylogeny, its distribution and status as well as about its life history strategy and genetic population structure. Based on this information, integrative conservation strategies for freshwater mollusc species which combine genetic and ecological information are discussed. Holistic conservation strategies for pearl mussels require the integration of Conservation Genetics and Conservation Ecology actions at various spatial scales, from the individual and population level to global biodiversity conservation strategies. The availability of high resolution genetic markers for the species and the knowledge of the critical stages in the life cycle, particularly of the most sensitive post-parasitic phase, are important prerequisites for conservation. Effective adaptive conservation management also requires an evaluation of previous actions and management decisions. As with other freshwater bivalves, an integrative conservation approach that identifies and sustains ecological processes and evolutionary lineages is urgently needed to protect and manage freshwater pearl mussel diversity. Such research is important for the conservation of free-living populations, as well as for artificial culturing and breeding techniques, which have recently been or which are currently being established for freshwater pearl mussels in several countries.
Subfields: Ecology, Nature and Landscape Conservation
View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/35877044e88c1cade09dba3789adcb719cc98663
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In Ecology
In Nature and Landscape Conservation
- Jonathan M. Jeschke
- B. Stoeckle
- I. Kühn
- Christina C. Belle
- J. Geist
- Reuben P. Keller
- Carsten F. Dormann
- Petr Pyšek
Citations in the corpus
- Invasive species in Europe: ecology, status, and policy (2011, background): “This is evident in freshwater unionid mussels, which are among the most critically imperiled freshwater taxa both in North America and Europe [91,92].”
- Taxonomic and geographical representation of freshwater environmental DNA research in aquatic conservation (2019, background): “The value of eDNA techniques in endangered species and freshwater conservation can be illustrated using the example of freshwater mussels, as these belong to the most threatened groups in fresh water (Lopes‐Lima et al., 2017) and are considered target species for conservation (Geist, 2010, 2015).”
- Downstream transport and seasonal variation in freshwater pearl mussel ( Margaritifera margaritifera ) eDNA concentration (2019, background): “Freshwater pearl mussels are subject to substantial conservation effort (Geist, 2010) and monitoring programs across Europe (Boon et al., 2019).”