Howells Freshwater Mussels App

IMPORTANCE IN THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM• Freshwater mussels are important components of aquatic ecosystems.• They are key indicator species that alert us to ecological problems.• Mother-Nature’s biofilters– They remove algae, bacteria, protozoans, particulate matter, and othermaterial from the water.– Consider: Would the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria, now present in theColorado River be a significant risk to humans if mussels were filtering itfrom the water column?• Concentrate and sequester pesticides, heavy metals, and otherenvironmental contaminants.• Food for numerous other organisms.• Mix aquatic substrates as earthwormsdo in gardens.• Legally-protected species can be a hedgeagainst destructive development andhabitat modification.