The Monitoring Handbook of Large Freshwater Mussels
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The thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) brings LIFE+ back to rivers [UC4LIFE] Målarmusslans återkomst… ACTION A1 DELIVERABLE: “The Monitoring Handbook” The monitoring handbook of large freshwater mussels Jakob Bergengren1, Ted von Proschwitz2, Stefan Lundberg3, Håkan Söderberg4, Oskar Norrgrann4, Martin Österling5 and Ivan Olsson6 County Administrative Board of 1Jönköping 4Västernorrland and 6Skåne, The Natural History Museum in 2Gothenburg and 3Stockholm, and 5Karlstad university and County Administrative Board of Scania6 Action A.1 Deliverable” The monitoring Handbook” Abstract This handbook will be used as part the Life-project “The thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) brings LIFE+ back to rivers” [UC4LIFE] monitoring programme to ensure adequate and consistent sampling strategies and techniques amongst the sampling crew. Naturally, the handbook describes sampling strategies and techniques, not only designated for the LIFE- project, but constitute the basis for mussel sampling generally according to standard protocol. Thus, this handbook is based on results from former studies and experiences by the authors and the results have been published previously in different formats. The handbook demonstrate suitable sampling techniques which will be used to survey variables which include mussel population size, density and individual age/size before and after restoration measures (Actions C.1 and C.3 in this project) at the twelve project sites that are planned for in this project. Also, this handbook is relevant for additional project-actions, such as the planning work (Action A.3), Host-fish mapping (Action C.1), Re-introduction and allocation (Action C.3), including all information activities (Actions D.1 - D.7). 1 Action A.1 Deliverable” The monitoring Handbook” Background and objectives Nine species of mussels from the group ”large freshwater mussels” are currently found in Swedish waters. Seven species are native and live buried in the bottom with the back end pointing upwards and the siphon open toward the flowing water. Some of these species are mainly found in lakes and ponds, but all can be found in flowing water. Two of the species, Chinese pond mussel Sinanodonta woodiana and zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha found in Swedish waters are not native and invasive. They have been introduced into Swedish lakes and streams. These species are the.This study type is not intended for these species. Large freshwater mussels have a special life cycle. Viable populations, especially the freshwater pearl mussels, are a good indicator that the ecosystem of a stream is working well. In addition to freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera), there are three species of mussels of the genus Unio (Unio spp) and Anodonta mussels (Anodonta/ Pseudanodonta spp), all of which are of interest to take an inventory of and to monitor and it is these species that the study type is intended for. Appendix 6 includes species identification guides for all species of large freshwater mussels that can be found in Sweden. Freshwater pearl mussel, thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus) and depressed river mussel (Pseudanodonta complanata) are on the Swedish red list of threatened species from 2005. The proposed red list for 2010 suggests an increase in the threat category for the freshwater pearl mussel, whilst depressed river mussel is considered viable (new knowledge). Painter's mussel (Unio pictorum) is a new addition to the red list. This study type can be used to follow up the ”Swedish Conservation Action Plan”, (”Åtgärdsprogram för bevarande”), for freshwater pearl mussels and thick shelled river mussels, and for monitoring progress towards the Swedish Environmental Objective ”Flourishing Lakes and Streams”, through the indicator ”Reproduction of freshwater pearl mussel”. In combination with other information, the results of the study can contribute to the implementation of measures to increase the prospects for the mussel species to survive in viable populations, and to monitor the effects of different conservation measures targeted at the mussel populations. This study type for large freshwater mussels aims to monitor changes in the population size and density and changes in age/size structure in defined populations. Coordination The methods are developed for habitats in streams and lakes and can be supplemented with the following study types: ”Elfiske i vattendrag”, ”Vattenkemi i vattendrag”, ”Vattenkemi i sjöar”, and ”Lokalbeskrivning” (not available in English at present). Since, in addition to monitoring the mussel population, the study type can provide information for conservation measures, it is an advantage if biotope mapping can be undertaken on the studied lake or stream (study type ”Biotopkartering – vattendrag” and ”Biotopkartering – sjöstränder” not available in English at present). Biotope mapping describes the physical environment of the littoral zone and the water biotope and make it easier to prioritise and select the right measures for a mussel population. 2 Action A.1 Deliverable” The monitoring Handbook” Strategy The study type covers four methods which have, in part, different emphasis depending on species, habitat and the level of ambition regarding assessment of the conservation value and status description. The appropriateness of the methods for lakes and streams are outlined below: Streams 1. ”Status description and monitoring of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera)” (Appendix 1), 2. ”Basic status description of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera)” (Appendix 2) 3. ”Status description and monitoring of large freshwater mussels of the Unio genus (Unio spp) and Anodonta mussels (Anodonta/Pseudanodonta spp) in streams” (Appendix 3) Lakes 4. ”Status description and monitoring of large freshwater mussel of the Unio genus (Unio spp) and Anodonta mussels (Anodonta/Pseudanodonta spp) in lakes” (Appendix 4) The study types are intended for use for the following native species: Margaritifera margaritifera (freshwater pearl mussel) – endangered (EN*) Unio pictorum (painter’s mussel) – near threatened (NT*) Unio tumidus (swollen river mussel) Unio crassus (thick shelled river mussel) – endangered (EN*) Anodonta anatina (duck mussel) Anodonta cygnea (swan mussel) Pseudanodonta complanata (depressed or compressed river mussel) * according to the proposed Red List 2010 Principals for the methods 1. The stretch of stream in which the mussels are found is defined. Then survey sites are randomly selected and the populations at the survey sites are studied for distribution, density, number of individuals and recruitment (reproduction). This method makes it possible to monitor trends in the population’s development and to assess the status and conservation value. 2. In the basic status description method only the area of the stream with the strongest population is studied. In this more cost-effective method, only one, or a few, parts of the stream are studied and it is assumed that knowledge of the population in the stream is relatively good. However, the status assessment of each individual population is less certain than after a complete study (method 1) since the data collected is more limited. Nevertheless, this method makes it possible to describe the conditions for the species within a large geographical area in a relatively short time period. 3 Action A.1 Deliverable” The monitoring Handbook” 3. This method applies the same principles as method 1, but applicable to mussels in the genera Anodonta, Pseudanodonta and Unio. Studies of mussel populations in lakes are harder and more time-consuming than studies in streams. A few suitable areas are studied. These areas are usually in the inflow and outflow, where the constraints and methods used are similar to those in streams. In addition, so-called line assessment is used, where a limited stretch is studied at a number of suitable and subjectively selected locations close to the shore of the lake (littoral zone). It is difficult to cover all the variations on the lake’s bottom substrate, vegetation and depth conditions, but the method provides an illustration of the distribution of the mussel species and their choice of habitat (bottom substrate, depth conditions etc.). Statistical aspects When comparing population density or size of the smallest mussels found (methods 1 and 3) between two independent streams, the Mann-Whitney U-test is recommended (results from 15 sites). For a comparison of several streams, Kruskal-Wallis 1-way test (ANOVA) is recommended. When monitoring developments in one stream by returning to the same survey site several times Wilcoxons parade test is recommended. If it is intended to use parametric tests for data treatment then the number of sites must be expanded (i.e. must be more than 15). A test of nine streams with strong populations of freshwater pearl mussels showed that on average 21 survey sites were needed in order for transformed density data to exhibit a normal distribution and thereby permit parametric testing. To test whether the share of small (juvenile) mussels agrees with the expected share (population’s length distribution) then the Chi-square test should be used. When a basic status description (method 2) is performed then only descriptive statistics (number, length classes etc.) should be calculated after the first visit. After subsequent visits changes in the population can be analysed. Any statistical changes in the status class can be analysed with the help of a sign test. To