Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N007743/1
Investigating the impact of hydrodynamics on the behaviour of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel using field and laboratory approaches
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr R Thomas, University of Glasgow, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Glasgow, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Conservation Ecology
- Hydrological Processes
- Sediment/Sedimentary Processes
- Abstract:
- The freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera is a keystone species, indicative of healthy river ecosystems. It has, however, been classified as endangered due to its unprecedented decline, and is now one of the most endangered mussels in the world. Although Scotland is a stronghold, even here it is in decline. Many factors have contributed: pearl fishing; pollution; siltation; habitat degradation; flow alterations due to abstractions and hydroelectric schemes; and declines in salmonid host fish. The Scottish hydroelectric industry is an important source of renewable energy, and with applications for schemes rapidly increasing, this will only expand. However, the impacts of these schemes on flow and sediment regimes, geomorphology and freshwater ecology have not been investigated to the same degree. Changing flow conditions affect river habitat; flood events can destabilise river beds through mobilisation of sediment and of mussels themselves. Low flows can result in decreases in flow velocity over adult mussels that filter-feed, and through substrate interstices, detrimental as fine sediment and algae accumulate, decreasing oxygen. In addition, impacts of climate change on flow regimes in regulated and unregulated rivers, on both mussel and host fish, and the knock-on effects this may have for the hydroelectric industry, remain uncertain. Climate change scenarios suggest rainfall will become increasingly unpredictable and summer droughts more frequent and prolonged. Hence, current understanding of flows of ecological relevance to maintaining M.margaritifera is poor and information about how changes in flow may affect mussels is data deficient. This project will address these gaps, providing knowledge currently lacking regarding the mussel's habitat requirements (flow and sediment), and the impact changes in flow and sediment regime, due to regulation and climate change, may have on mussel behaviour and response. It will provide urgently needed empirical research that will drive future conservation strategies, implemented by the hydroelectric industry such as Scottish and Southern Energy, the CASE partner, and government bodies (e.g. SNH and SEPA). Results will be disseminated and implemented with immediate effect, so the potential for impact is extremely high. This will be addressed by adopting novel approaches. First, a novel manipulative experimental approach using a laboratory-based flume with live mussels. This will involve modeling the physical habitat to monitor mussel response to changing flow regimes (gradual v's rapid increases and decreases in velocity), different substrate types and complexity, and varying mussel population clusters at different stages of mussel development. Second, a unique field-based flow manipulation of regulated rivers to monitor response of mussels to changing flows and sediment in their natural habitat. This is facilitated as a direct result of partnership with SSE. We can explore issues such as effects of flows on bed stability, measure near-bed velocities, shear stress and dissolved oxygen in the substrate, parameters thought relevant to mussel habitat suitability. Third, a novel experiment using PIT tagged mussels in their natural environment, in a variety of flow regimes to monitor behaviour over larger temporal and spatial scales. This is a timely and vital piece of research due to present rates of decline in M.margaritifera and host fish populations, which, when combined with uncertain impacts of climate change, and increased interest in small-scale hydroschemes which alter flow and sediment regimes and impact upstream/downstream passage of migratory host fish, suggest that a project of this nature will have a crucial role in improving our understanding of the physical and ecological requirements of this species. This knowledge can be immediately implemented by industry, government and regulatory bodies to have a positive impact and reverse the declining population.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/N007743/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £96,612
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £19,160 | £11,000 | £66,454 |
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