Western pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) freshwater mussels in Redwood Creek
Bensen K. 2008. Western pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) freshwater mussels in Redwood Creek. Orick, California
Presentation summary from workshop minutes: "The western pearlshell freshwater mussel (Margaritafera falcata) had never been reported in any formal scientific inventory of Redwood Creek until a small population was discovered in 2007. Oral history accounts had reported the presence of western pearlshells in Redwood Creek in the 1950's or 1960's upstream of Redwood National Park. Due to their dependence on salmonids for juvenile dispersal, long lives (100+ years), specific water quality requirements and filter feeding life history, western pearlshells provide a superior biological indicator of watershed health. Redwood National and State Park staff plan on conducting a full western pearlshell inventory of Redwood Creek within park boundaries over the coming years and initiating a population monitoring program similar to an ongoing program occurring in Mill Creek within the parks."
- Type
- Presentation
- Authors
- Bensen, Keith
- Date of Issue
- 2008-04-18
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Freshwater mussels, Mill creek, population monitoring, presence, Redwood creek, water quality, watershed health, Western pearlshell