Alasmidonta Varicosa), Canadian Population
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Preliminary Assessment of the Recovery Potential of the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa), Canadian Population Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited Ecosystem Management, Gulf Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada 343 University Avenue Moncton, NB E1C 9B6 2012 Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2995 Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Manuscript reports contain scientific and technical information that contributes to existing knowledge but which deals with national or regional problems. Distribution is restricted to institutions or individuals located in particular regions of Canada. However, no restriction is placed on subject matter, and the series reflects the broad interests and policies of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, namely, fisheries and aquatic sciences. Manuscript reports may be cited as full publications. The correct citation appears above the abstract of each report. Each report is abstracted in the data base Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts. Manuscript reports are produced regionally but are numbered nationally. Requests for individual reports will be filled by the issuing establishment listed on the front cover and title page. Numbers 1-900 in this series were issued as Manuscript Reports (Biological Series) of the Biological Board of Canada, and subsequent to 1937 when the name of the Board was changed by Act of Parliament, as Manuscript Reports (Biological Series) of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Numbers 1426 - 1550 were issued as Department of Fisheries and Environment, Fisheries and Marine Service Manuscript Reports. The current series name was changed with report number 1551. Rapport manuscrit canadien des sciences halieutiques et aquatiques Les rapports manuscrits contiennent des renseignements scientifiques et techniques qui constituent une contribution aux connaissances actuelles, mais qui traitent de problèmes nationaux ou régionaux. La distribution en est limitée aux organismes et aux personnes de régions particulières du Canada. II n'y a aucune restriction quant au sujet; de fait, la série reflète la vaste gamme des intérêts et des politiques de Pêches et Océans Canada, c'est-à-dire les sciences halieutiques et aquatiques. Les rapports manuscrits peuvent être cités comme des publications à part entière. Le titre exact figure au-dessus du résumé de chaque rapport. Les rapports manuscrits sont résumés dans la base de données Résumés des sciences aquatiques et halieutiques. Les rapports manuscrits sont produits à l'échelon régional, mais numérotés à l'échelon national. Les demandes de rapports seront satisfaites par l'établissement auteur dont le nom figure sur la couverture et la page du titre. Les numéros 1 à 900 de cette série ont été publiés à titre de Manuscrits (série biologique) de l'Office de biologie du Canada, et après le changement de la désignation de cet organisme par décret du Parlement, en 1937, ont été classés comme Manuscrits (série biologique) de l'Office des recherches sur les pêcheries du Canada. Les numéros 901 à 1425 ont été publiés à titre de Rapports manuscrits de l'Office des recherches sur les pêcheries du Canada. Les numéros 1426 à 1550 sont parus à titre de Rapports manuscrits du Service des pêches et de la mer, ministère des Pêches et de l'Environnement. Le nom actuel de la série a été établi lors de la parution du numéro 1551. i Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2995 2012 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE RECOVERY POTENTIAL OF THE BROOK FLOATER (ALASMIDONTA VARICOSA), CANADIAN POPULATION by Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited1 Species at Risk Program Ecosystem Management, Gulf Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada 343 University Avenue Moncton, NB NB E1C 9B6 1 3 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1W8 ii © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2012. Cat. No. Fs 97-4/2995E ISSN 0706-6473 Correct citation for this publication: Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited. 2012. Preliminary Assessment of the Recovery Potential of the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa), Canadian Population. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2995: vii + 42 p. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ iv ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. v RÉSUMÉ ....................................................................................................................................................... v PREFACE .................................................................................................................................................... vi 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 2. ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 PHASE I: ASSESS CURRENT SPECIES STATUS .................................................................... 5 2.1.1 Present Status and Trajectory ....................................................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Life History Characteristics .......................................................................................................... 12 2.1.3 Brook Floater Habitat Requirements and Use Patterns .............................................................. 13 2.1.4 Population and Distribution Recovery Targets ............................................................................ 16 2.1.5 Expected Population Trajectories, Time to Recovery Target, and Residence Requirements .... 17 2.2 PHASE II: SCOPE FOR MANAGEMENT TO FACILITATE RECOVERY OR MAINTENANCE 18 2.2.1 Identification of Key Recovery and Maintenance Parameters ..................................................... 19 2.2.2 Identification and Assessment of Mortality Risks ........................................................................ 19 2.2.3 Quantification of Habitat Need and Supply .................................................................................. 22 2.2.4 Assessment of Habitat Threats .................................................................................................... 25 2.3 PHASE III: SCENARIOS FOR MITIGATION AND ALTERNATIVES TO ACTIVITIES ............... 26 2.3.1 Inventory of Suggested Feasible Mitigation Measures and Alternative Activities ....................... 26 2.3.2 Mortality Rate, Productivity, Survivorship, Population Trajectory ................................................ 29 2.3.3 Population Models ....................................................................................................................... 29 3. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 33 4. acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................ 34 5. REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................. 35 APPENDIX 1. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia Based organizations which may support research and conservation efforts for the Brook Floater ..................................................................................... 38 iv LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 - ESTIMATED CANADIAN RANGE OF THE BROOK FLOATER. .................................................................. 1 FIGURE 2 - CURRENT KNOWN DISTRIBUTION OF THE BROOK FLOATER IN NEW BRUNSWICK. ................................ 2 FIGURE 3 - CURRENT KNOWN DISTRIBUTION OF BROOK FLOATER IN NOVA SCOTIA. ............................................ 3 LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF KNOWN BROOK FLOATER POPULATION ESTIMATES IN CANADA ........................................ 7 TABLE 2. SUMMARY OF PRESENCE-ABSENCE STATUS SUGGESTED FOR RIVERS LOCATED IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA ................................................................................................................................. 12 TABLE 3. PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES AND ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS. ......................................................... 27 v ABSTRACT Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited. 2012. Preliminary Assessment of the Recovery Potential of the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa), Canadian Population. Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2995: vii + 42 p. The Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) is a freshwater mussel endemic to North America; within Canada, its distribution is currently restricted to 15 watersheds in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. COSEWIC has assessed this species as Special concern. Populations of this native burrowing bivalve, like other unionids, continue to decline, mainly because of anthropogenic activities that affect habitat and water quality. Given the very limited species-specific data available, the current report does not attempt to quantitatively predict Brook Floater distribution or abundance; it outlines qualitative objectives