As we continue to highlight the incredible biodiversity of the Duck River and the important efforts to protect this precious natural resource, we must mention that this river is home to an astonishing diversity of freshwater mussels, vital for maintaining clean and healthy water. These natural filters play a crucial role in the river's ecosystem, making them an essential species to protect and celebrate.
Freshwater mussels may not capture the public's attention like the charismatic megafauna that have become symbols of the climate driven biodiversity crisis, but they play a critical role in our Southern ecosystems. There are more freshwater mussel species in the Southeast than anywhere in the world — and we owe these bivalves big time — a single mussel can filter up to 15 gallons of water a day and often live in the creeks and rivers that supply our drinking water. Known as an 'indicator' species, mussels are sensitive to small changes in their environment. Sadly, mussel populations are collapsing, climate change and rapid development have been devastating these mighty mollusks. But there is some hope. In 2019, Southern Environmental Law Center's Kym Meyer and Ramona McGee were able to secure a historic settlement due to SELC's litigation of the Complete 540 project near Raleigh, North Carolina which would have harmed several endangered aquatic species. Part of the over $50 million agreement provided funds for the Yates Mill Aquatic Conservation Center. The facility opened its doors last month and is hard at work propagating aquatic species in an effort to conserve these special creatures that are so important to our region. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eacSGvgt #Conservation #Mussel #AquaticSpecies #Biodiversity #ClimateChange #Wildlife Photo credit USFWS
Interesting 🤨