Freshwater Mussel Population Declines

Any land-use decisions, contaminant input or introduction of invasive species which directly effects mussel or fish survival, or mussel or fish habitat, food web dynamics, or other physical or chemical processes in surfaces waters can impact mussel populations. Consequently, freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals on the plant. Of more than 290 species previously recognized in North America, more than 70% are imperiled, and many are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern.