Assessing the potential for restoring freshwater mussels to urban streams

Field trials were conducted to assess the potential for stocking native unionid mussels in urban streams of Chesapeake Bay catchment. Juvenile, hatchery-raised placed enclosures at five (two restored and three unrestored) two nearby rural streams. Adult translocated Mussel growth survivorship assessed stream sites individuals maintained hatchery ponds. At all sites, water quality conditions generally suitable with respect temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen. Food resources, as indicated by quantity suspended benthic particulate matter, higher among lower unrestored Positive rates observed both juveniles (caged) adults. fatty acid profiles similar except docosahexaenoic (DHA), which was stocked relative hatchery. Among streams, frequent occurrence high discharge events resulted burial downstream loss enclosures. washout effects less severe. Apart from effects, mortality, presence dead mussels, low (<10%). Overall, provided whereas bed bank instability during a attrition mussels. Conservation efforts may be aided consideration mussel habitat needs design restoration projects. The inclusion projects has facilitate recovery, expand bring greater attention conservation efforts, garner public support preservation health areas.