Freshwater Mussels in Oklahoma RiversFrom Endangered Species to Ecosystem Services

Caryn C. VaughnGeorge Lynn Cross Research ProfessorPresidential ProfessorOklahoma Biological Survey & Biology Department cvaughn@ou.educarynvaughn.com

Atkinson & Vaughn, 2015, Freshwater Biology

What are the distribution and status of mussel species in Oklahoma rivers?

What are their habitat requirements and relationships with other species?

Atkinson & Vaughn, 2015, Freshwater Biology

What are the environmental flow needs of freshwater mussels?

How can we manage rivers to meet both wildlife and human needs?

Gates, Vaughn, & Julian, Freshwater Biology, 2015

• Filter the water• Recycle and store nutrients• Provide and modify habitat• Support food webs

What do mussels do in ecosystems?What ecosystem services do mussels provide humans?

300 m3/km-d

199170 gN +9 gP/km-d

201126 kgN/km1.8 kgP/km

140 m3/km-d 36 gN +4 gP/km-d

$$

$

55 kgN/km3.4 kgP/km

BIOFILTRATION NUTRIENT STORAGE NUTRIENT RECYCLING

Quantify biophysical ecosystem services provided by mussels and rivers

Determine economic and social value of ecosystem services

Establish environmental flow guidelines/policy for Oklahoma rivers

POTENTIAL COLLABORATIONS

Caryn C. Vaughncvaughn@ou.educarynvaughn.com