Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 02059

Branch : Aquatic Ecology Branch

Study Plan Number : 02059

Study Title : Relocation of native freshwater bivalves: Evaluation of survival, movement and recruitment at Kennerdell, PA

Starting Date : 07/14/1998

Completion Date : 12/30/2005

Principal Investigator(s) : Villella, Rita; Smith, Dave R. & Lemarie, Dave

Primary PI : Villella, Rita

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4472

Email Address : rita_villella@usgs.gov

SIS Number : 5003270

Primary Program Element : Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Second Program Element : Fish and Aquatic Habitats

Status : Active

Abstract :
Freshwater bivalves have been relocated with the goal of restoring or supplementing populations (Ahlstedt 1979, Jenkinson 1985, Layzer and Gordon 1993) or to remove populations from impacts due to construction, mining, or the like (Jenkinson 1989, Trdan and Hoeh 1993). The underlying presumption is that relocation acts to maintain or increase river-wide population viability. Specifically, for a relocation effort to be successful

1) relocated bivalves survive and reproduce in numbers sufficient to maintain or increase population viability, and

2) bivalves resident in the relocation site are not adversely affected due to inter- and intra-specific competition with relocated mussels, introduction of disease organisms, or outbreeding depression from mixing genetically distinct populations.

Cope and Waller (1995) reviewed the literature on relocation and found documentation for 37 projects. Success of relocation programs has been measured by survival of relocated animals and only in a few cases did monitoring include recruitment. In a majority of projects monitoring lasted less than 1 year, and bivalves were monitored for at least 5 years in fewer than 20% of projects. Results of relocation efforts have been dependent on species and environmental conditions, but many relocated bivalves have shown low recovery rates. Although some specific projects have reported that relocation was successful, attempts to estimate survival have been confounded by movement out of the relocation site. Commonly, presence of high bivalve diversity and density was used to identify a site for relocation. Surprisingly, few relocation efforts took into consideration the presence of necessary fish hosts for successful reproduction, nor were the potentially negative effects on the resident population at the relocation site evaluated.

Typically, bivalves are relocated from areas of direct impact; for example, where bivalves will be crushed by bridge construction causeways. However, construction may have profound effects on the stream channel upstream and downstream of causeways. Consequently, bivalve habitat and density may be decreased outside the area of direct impact. Assessments of these indirect effects should be included in evaluation of mitigation success.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will initiate several bridge maintenance and construction projects in the Allegheny River drainage. It is known that 2 Federally endangered species of freshwater bivalves (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana and Pleurobema clava) are found within the proposed construction areas. PennDOT, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are consulting on management of affected bivalves. Bivalves will be relocated from these bridge sites as a strategy to minimize take. Because relocating bivalves is costly, the public needs to know that it arises from wise management, supported by sound science.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study are to 1) evaluate survival, recruitment and movement of relocated bivalves; 2) evaluate the effect of relocation on resident bivalve populations, and 3) evaluate indirect effects due to construction related alterations of the stream channel.

Though the focus of most freshwater bivalve relocation programs is on Federally listed species, these species are often found in numbers insufficient to evaluate statistically the effects of relocation on survival and recruitment. Therefore, this study will monitor all species within the community, including P. clava and E. t. rangiana. Collectively the freshwater bivalve fauna is declining at a faster rate than other aquatic taxa (Master et. al. 1998). Given the perilous status of native bivalves, the information from this study, regardless of species, will be valuable to future relocation efforts.

HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED: Relocation of freshwater bivalves will decrease survival and increase bivalve movement compared to nonimpacted bivalves. The increased density of bivalves resulting from relocation will have a negative effect on the survival of resident bivalves at relocation sites. Secondary impacts of bridge construction will produce detectable changes in habitat and bivalve community composition and decrease bivalve density.

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Branch :	Aquatic Ecology Branch
Study Plan Number :	02059
Study Title :	Relocation of native freshwater bivalves: Evaluation of survival, movement and recruitment at Kennerdell, PA
Starting Date :	07/14/1998
Completion Date :	12/30/2005
Principal Investigator(s) :	Villella, Rita; Smith, Dave R. & Lemarie, Dave
Primary PI :	Villella, Rita
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4472
Email Address :	rita_villella@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5003270
Primary Program Element :	Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Second Program Element :	Fish and Aquatic Habitats
Status :	Active
Abstract :	Freshwater bivalves have been relocated with the goal of restoring or supplementing populations (Ahlstedt 1979, Jenkinson 1985, Layzer and Gordon 1993) or to remove populations from impacts due to construction, mining, or the like (Jenkinson 1989, Trdan and Hoeh 1993). The underlying presumption is that relocation acts to maintain or increase river-wide population viability. Specifically, for a relocation effort to be successful 1) relocated bivalves survive and reproduce in numbers sufficient to maintain or increase population viability, and 2) bivalves resident in the relocation site are not adversely affected due to inter- and intra-specific competition with relocated mussels, introduction of disease organisms, or outbreeding depression from mixing genetically distinct populations. Cope and Waller (1995) reviewed the literature on relocation and found documentation for 37 projects. Success of relocation programs has been measured by survival of relocated animals and only in a few cases did monitoring include recruitment. In a majority of projects monitoring lasted less than 1 year, and bivalves were monitored for at least 5 years in fewer than 20% of projects. Results of relocation efforts have been dependent on species and environmental conditions, but many relocated bivalves have shown low recovery rates. Although some specific projects have reported that relocation was successful, attempts to estimate survival have been confounded by movement out of the relocation site. Commonly, presence of high bivalve diversity and density was used to identify a site for relocation. Surprisingly, few relocation efforts took into consideration the presence of necessary fish hosts for successful reproduction, nor were the potentially negative effects on the resident population at the relocation site evaluated. Typically, bivalves are relocated from areas of direct impact; for example, where bivalves will be crushed by bridge construction causeways. However, construction may have profound effects on the stream channel upstream and downstream of causeways. Consequently, bivalve habitat and density may be decreased outside the area of direct impact. Assessments of these indirect effects should be included in evaluation of mitigation success. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will initiate several bridge maintenance and construction projects in the Allegheny River drainage. It is known that 2 Federally endangered species of freshwater bivalves (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana and Pleurobema clava) are found within the proposed construction areas. PennDOT, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are consulting on management of affected bivalves. Bivalves will be relocated from these bridge sites as a strategy to minimize take. Because relocating bivalves is costly, the public needs to know that it arises from wise management, supported by sound science. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study are to 1) evaluate survival, recruitment and movement of relocated bivalves; 2) evaluate the effect of relocation on resident bivalve populations, and 3) evaluate indirect effects due to construction related alterations of the stream channel. Though the focus of most freshwater bivalve relocation programs is on Federally listed species, these species are often found in numbers insufficient to evaluate statistically the effects of relocation on survival and recruitment. Therefore, this study will monitor all species within the community, including P. clava and E. t. rangiana. Collectively the freshwater bivalve fauna is declining at a faster rate than other aquatic taxa (Master et. al. 1998). Given the perilous status of native bivalves, the information from this study, regardless of species, will be valuable to future relocation efforts. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED: Relocation of freshwater bivalves will decrease survival and increase bivalve movement compared to nonimpacted bivalves. The increased density of bivalves resulting from relocation will have a negative effect on the survival of resident bivalves at relocation sites. Secondary impacts of bridge construction will produce detectable changes in habitat and bivalve community composition and decrease bivalve density.
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility