Author(s): Y. Morales; A. Mynett; L. J. Weber
Linked Author(s): Larry J. Weber
Keywords: Freshwater mussels; Unionidae; Zebra Mussels; Amblema plicata; Water quality indicators; Individual based modelling
Abstract: Habitat disruption and the introduction of invasive species are two of the main reasons for the decline of freshwater mussel's populations along the Mississippi River. Different conservation strategies have been proposed, however, their successful application depends on an adequate understanding of the mussel's dynamics. For this purpose an Individual Based Model is being developed to analyse the behaviour of freshwater mussels. The model is based on two mussels species: Threeridge mussel (Amblema plicata) is used to characterise the Unionidae family and the zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) for the invasive species. The aim of the model is to compare the response of the two families to various water quality conditions and to assess interspecies food competitions. In this paper we present the basic structure of the Individual Based Model and we describe the main processes that are taken into account.
Year: 2003