Does Mitigation Achieve Conservation? Evaluating the effectiveness of freshwater mussel species-at-risk translocations in southwestern Ontario
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Catherine Febria
Proposal
Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) serve as critical structural and functional links for aquatic food webs and are effective bioindicators, but large numbers of species are declining globally, with many in Canada federally listed as species-at-risk of extinction (SAR). Restricted in dispersal ability due to their sessile nature, Unionidae are incredibly vulnerable to human activities such as river infrastructure projects like bridge construction, culvert replacements, and earth moving activities adjacent to waterbodies. Therefore, translocation efforts involving freshwater mussel populations are commonly conducted as a mitigation response under the federal Fisheries and Species at Risk Act which protects freshwater mussels. Since publication of the Mackie protocol in 2008, practitioners have been required to follow standard practices to ensure translocation success, however little to no follow-up has been done to evaluate the effectiveness of this practice. To begin to assess translocation success, we have received privileged access to several translocation reports spanning 15 years from which we have conducted a data synthesis. In addition, multiple sites of previous translocations in the Grand and Thames River watersheds located in southern Ontario were surveyed during the 2022 field season. Findings indicate that mussel communities do not fully recover following translocation, negatively affecting the population density and biodiversity of communities instead of conserving and protecting them. Moreover, it appears that critical habitats do not fully recover, even 15 years post impact. We offer data and insights to inform changes to the practice of translocation to hopefully improve conservation of the species-at-risk and restoration of their critical habitats.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Does Mitigation Achieve Conservation? Evaluating the effectiveness of freshwater mussel species-at-risk translocations in southwestern Ontario
Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) serve as critical structural and functional links for aquatic food webs and are effective bioindicators, but large numbers of species are declining globally, with many in Canada federally listed as species-at-risk of extinction (SAR). Restricted in dispersal ability due to their sessile nature, Unionidae are incredibly vulnerable to human activities such as river infrastructure projects like bridge construction, culvert replacements, and earth moving activities adjacent to waterbodies. Therefore, translocation efforts involving freshwater mussel populations are commonly conducted as a mitigation response under the federal Fisheries and Species at Risk Act which protects freshwater mussels. Since publication of the Mackie protocol in 2008, practitioners have been required to follow standard practices to ensure translocation success, however little to no follow-up has been done to evaluate the effectiveness of this practice. To begin to assess translocation success, we have received privileged access to several translocation reports spanning 15 years from which we have conducted a data synthesis. In addition, multiple sites of previous translocations in the Grand and Thames River watersheds located in southern Ontario were surveyed during the 2022 field season. Findings indicate that mussel communities do not fully recover following translocation, negatively affecting the population density and biodiversity of communities instead of conserving and protecting them. Moreover, it appears that critical habitats do not fully recover, even 15 years post impact. We offer data and insights to inform changes to the practice of translocation to hopefully improve conservation of the species-at-risk and restoration of their critical habitats.