Development and Implementation of Freshwater Species Recovery Efforts in Alabama
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Transcript of Development and Implementation of Freshwater Species Recovery Efforts in Alabama
Development and Implementation of Freshwater
Species Recovery Efforts in Alabama
Paul D. Johnson, Ph.D.Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity CenterMarion, Alabama
• Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center (AABC)• Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries • Department of Conservation and Natural Resources• Not part of the state general fund• Primary funding state wildlife and other external
funds• No regulatory authority• http://www.outdooralabama.com
Cahaba River, Shelby County
AABC Mission:• Promote recovery of imperiled non-game aquatic species• Coordinate / direct research efforts for rare species• Promote habitat / river recovery efforts• Complete species restoration through reintroduction
INTRODUCTION:• Aquatic diversity summary • Species recovery methods• Site selections• Example reintroductions
Alabama Physiographic & River Basins
Distributions of Freshwater Species in Selected Southeastern States
Mussels Snails Crayfish Fish Amphibians (301) (702) (338) (1024) (163)Alabama 181 204 85+ 308 69Tennessee 132 87 62 298 66 Georgia 119 83 53 219 81Kentucky 103 62 47 220 49Mississippi 85 35 64 204 59
Pleurobema rubellum - Warrior Pigtoe
308 Species15 federally listed
85+ Species 0 federally listed
182 Species52 federally
listed
204 Historical 12 federally listed
Alabama Federally Listed Species
S…
010203040506070
5 80 4
39
2
31
67Sp
ecie
s
Recent North American Extinctions
PLAN FOR THE POPULATION RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF IMPERILED FRESHWATER MOLLUSKS OF THE
MOBILE RIVER BASIN
Prepared by the:
Mobile River Basin Mollusk Restoration Committee
January 2010
Mollusk Recovery Planning
Proposed Reintroduction of the Orangenacre Mucket, Hamiota
peovalis (Conrad, 1834), in the Tallatchee Creek, Monroe County, Alabama
Paul D. Johnson, Ph.D., Program Supervisor, Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2200 Highway 175, Marion, AL 36756 CURRENT SITE RELEASE PLAN Species Priority: Hamiota perovalis (Conrad, 1834), Orangenacre Mucket was listed as threatened by the US
Fish and Wildlife Service in 1999. The species is considered a Priority 2 rank by the Alabama
Department of Conservation (ADCNR) and threatened by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife,
Fisheries, and Parks (MSDWF&P). The species is considered a Tier 3 priority by the Mobile
River Basin Mollusk Restoration Committee. Hamiota perovalis is ranked as G2 by NatureServe
and is also considered threatened by the American Fisheries Society. Species boundaries are
somewhat confused, but it’s generally restricted to lower Cahaba and direct tributaries in the
Alabama River and throughout the Tombigbee River basin (Williams et al. 2008). Currently
restricted to 23 localities, most occurrences are found in the Tombigbee River basin (Mobile
River Mollusk Restoration Committee 2010).
Southern Pocketbook, Lampsilis ornata – Cahaba River
1.
2.
3.
4.Artificial culture process for freshwater mussels:
Modified from figure in Barnhart et al 2006
Partial Flow-Thru Bucket Culture System:
SUPSYS – Open Water Mussel Culture Chamber:
Lampsilis virescens – in SUPSYS 14 days
Lampsilis virescens – in SUPSYS 135 days
Upwelling cup containing juvenile mussels placed in silo.
1 mm mesh
Photo of a single silo placed in possible release site.
In-Situ Pre-Release
Deployed Mussel Silo
July 8, 2010
Villosa nebulosa – Choccolocco Creek Silo Test @ week 4. Note growth around ventral shell margin. August 4, 2010
Choccolocco Creek, Talladega CountyLarger channels preferred: * Higher productivity, more heterogeneity, larger surface, discharge more stable * Animals positively rheotaxic * Improved colonization rate and population size potential
Bear Creek, Colbert County, Reintroductions:
Alabama Lampmussel 1,039 Individuals = 28 pounds
Cumberland Moccasinshell 140 Individuals
Alabama Lampmussel recaptures - Bear Creek, Colbert Co., AL
June 14, 2012
≈ 9,000 Leptoxis plicata awaiting release
Juvenile Leptoxis plicata at Wallstown release site, Blount County, Alabama. Snails recruited from 2011 released cultured snails. June 13, 2011
Locust Fork Reintroduction Monitoring:
Plicate Rocksnail reintroduction site on the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River, Blount County Alabama. October 16, 2005
Plicate Rocksnail reintroduction site on the Locust Fork Black Warrior River, Blount County Alabama. August 26, 2010
Jefferson
Blount
Locust Fork – Black Warrior River :
Etowah
Walker
1. Kimberly Site
2. Locust Fork Site
3. Wallstown Site
Release Date Number Released
July 17, 2003 4,876
October 16, 2003 11,912
July & October 2003 16,788
Release Date Number Released
January 28, 2005 4,812
October 16, 2005 > 17,000
October 3, 2006 31,425
2005 - 2006 > 53,237
Release Date Number Released
September 14, 2010 13,200
October 4, 2011 1,281
September 2012 4,002
2010 - 2012 18,483
• Survey• Location of Reintroduction Site• Brood Stock Allocation• Culture• In-Situ Silo Trial• Reintroduction• Evaluation of Persistence• Augmentation• Verification of Recruitment
• Basic research is a requirement• Lack of WQ stability impedes recovery• Habitat monitoring SHU process benefits more than imperiled spp.
Culture & Reintroduction Process:
AABC 2012 Mollusk Reintroductions:
Alabama Lampmussel - EPaint Rock - lowerBear CreekElk River, TNCumberland Bean – EPaint RockCumberland MoccasinshellBear Creek
Alabama RainbowChoccolocco CreekAlabama CreekmusselChoccolocco Creek
Southern Combshell - ECahaba RiverCoosa Moccasinshell - ELittle Cahaba River
Fine-lined Pocketbook - TLittle RiverInterrupted Rocksnail – EWeiss Bypass
Rabbitsfoot - CLimestone CreekPainted CreekshellLimestone CreekOyster Mussel – EPaint Rock
Orangenacre Mucket - TTallatchee Creek
Tennessee Basin:
Coosa Basin:
Cahaba Basin:
Alabama Basin:
Spotted Rocksnail Cahaba River
Painted Creekmussel & Rabbitsfoot – Limestone Creek – September 2012