Population Dynamics of the Freshwater Mussel Lampsilis Cardium Reintroduced in Nebraska Lindsay M
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources Natural Resources, School of 5-2019 Population Dynamics of the Freshwater Mussel Lampsilis cardium Reintroduced in Nebraska Lindsay M. Ohlman University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natresdiss Part of the Hydrology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, and the Water Resource Management Commons Ohlman, Lindsay M., "Population Dynamics of the Freshwater Mussel Lampsilis cardium Reintroduced in Nebraska" (2019). Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources. 280. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natresdiss/280 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Natural Resources, School of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE FRESHWATER MUSSEL LAMPSILIS CARDIUM REINTRODUCED IN NEBRASKA by Lindsay M. Ohlman A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Major: Natural Resource Sciences Under the supervision of Professor Mark A. Pegg Lincoln, Nebraska May, 2019 POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE FRESHWATER MUSSEL LAMPSILIS CARDIUM REINTRODUCED IN NEBRASKA Lindsay M. Ohlman, M.S. University of Nebraska, 2019 Advisor: Mark A. Pegg The global decline of native freshwater mussels has accelerated conservation projects that preserve and restore populations, but the complex life histories among species challenges biologists in determining the most effective management strategies. This study details the conservation of plain pocketbook, a Tier I threatened mussel species in Nebraska that was artificially propagated and reintroduced into 13 sites from autumn 2016 to summer 2017. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine how handling influences mussels, and 2) evaluate mussel growth and survival following introductions. We conducted a laboratory experiment with age-2 plain pocketbook to assess the effects of handling on mussel growth and survival. We applied one of three handling rate treatments to experimental units for 12 weeks where mussels were handled up to 25 times. We compared end-of-study growth rates and survival among treatment and control group (i.e., no handling) mussels. Growth rates were unaffected by handling and no mortality occurred during the study, indicating plain pocketbook is tolerant of short-term, repeated handling. We then conducted a mark-recapture study for introduced mussels to assess the relations of habitat, timing of introduction, and shell size to mussel growth and survival. We seasonally surveyed sites during 2017 – 2018 to collect habitat data and recapture tagged mussels. We used von Bertalanffy equations to model mussel growth among sites, introduction years, and streams. We used Cormack-Jolly-Seber models to estimate recapture and apparent survival rates of each site. We constructed cumulative daily survival curves and compared curves among sites, introduction years, and streams. We attributed growth differences to water temperatures relating to season of introduction. We determined mussels were at heightened risk for mortality during introduction and spring. We qualitatively linked these time periods to environmental stressors and used this information to identify suitable habitats for mussels and develop recommendations for further introductions. Handling is an anthropogenic stressor for mussels that can be moderated through proper research and techniques. Short-term monitoring studies can provide valuable insight on the population dynamics of introduced freshwater mussels. Implications from this study have the ability to collectively enhance the management of this imperiled taxon. iv DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my parents, Leo and Anita, who taught me to be my own advocate in life. Life is never easy, but they provided me with the knowledge that good decisions, hard work, and perseverance leads to fulfillment. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Numerous individuals made my graduate education an enjoyable and rewarding experience. First, thank you to the administrators of the School of Natural Resources for providing so many welcoming and talented professors and faculty in this department. I truly appreciate the positive atmosphere and teamwork that is displayed among members of this community. Thank you, Dr. Mark Pegg, for introducing me to the amazing field of fisheries science. The experiences you provided in your undergraduate Ichthyology course led me to an unexpected passion for aquatic animals, and ultimately, the opportunity to turn it into a career. Thank you for promoting diversity in the lab in terms of research objectives, field work, and culture. I am grateful to have learned about other freshwater systems in this region and across borders. I also appreciate your perspectives on my writing and for helping me realize the greater implications of my work. Most importantly, thank you for allowing me freedom to become my own teacher, and subsequently, providing the skills I need to teach others. Thank you to all of my committee members, for your insights on the design and implementation of my research. Specifically, thank you Dr. Jamilynn Poletto, for helping me with my experimental setup and showing me the value this component has to science. Thank you, Dr. Mark Kaemingk and Dr. Chris Chizinski, for your reassurance throughout this process as well as your guidance on statistical methods. You were all instrumental in shaping my understanding and practice of applied ecology. I am sincerely grateful to all of the administrators and biologists of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Iowa Department of Natural Resources for funding this vi research and providing me the opportunity to contribute to this incredible project. My calling in life is to manage animal populations in need, and I am so thankful to have learned about, and provided, the management actions necessary to restore an imperiled species. Thank you Dean Rosenthal, Steve Schainost, Kristal Stoner, Melissa Panella, Bryan Sweet, and Joe Cassidy for setting the stage for this first-of-its-kind project in the state. I also appreciated collaborating with everyone on the management plan and learning from the experts in this field. Thank you, Bryan, for providing first-hand experience with brood collection, culture, marking, and monitoring processes. Thank you Joe for your encouragement and always letting me hijack your sampling equipment to tackle Cache Creek. Thank you, Jen Kurth, for introducing me to the diverse native mussel community of Iowa. Thank you to my friend and lab mate, Henry Hansen, for your insightful perspectives, distinctive sense of humor, and sincere belief in the importance of my research. It has been a joy to learn with you, and often from you, these past few years. Thank you to all of my past and present colleagues in the Pegg, Pope, and Poletto labs for your constructive advice on how to improve my writing and presentation skills, and in many instances, helping me with field work. My research also would not have been possible without the numerous technicians who dedicated their time to playing in the mud with me. Your positive attitudes and ability to work autonomously was truly valuable, so thank you. Thank you to Dennis Ferraro for inspiring me to continue my education. I would not be where I am today if not for those initial conversations we had about grad school. vii Thank you, Dr. Kevin Pope, for leading by example and encouraging your students to be meticulous in all aspects of their work. Thank you to Dr. Larkin Powell and Dr. Drew Tyre, for clarity on analytical processes and keeping me headed in the right direction. To my husband, Chadd, who was by my side throughout this journey: thank you for believing in me, for all your patience, and for being proud of me. You never let me become discouraged no matter how stressful the situation, and for that, I am stronger. Lastly, thank you to my parents, other family members, and friends for your continued encouragement to follow my dreams no matter how unique they might seem to you. Your love and support continues to guide me. viii GRANT INFORMATION This project was funded by the State Wildlife Grants Program; project U-10-R-1 administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This project is also based on research that was partially supported by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station with funding from the Hatch Multistate Research capacity funding program (NC-1189) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. ix TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND STUDY OBJECTIVES ................... 1 THE DECLINE OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS .......................................................... 2 ROLES IN THE ECOSYSTEM ..................................................................................... 2 FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN NEBRASKA ............................................................... 3 Restoring the plain pocketbook mussel ...................................................................... 4 STUDY NEED...............................................................................................................