Conservation and potential for recovery of freshwater mussels in Mediterranean-climate regions

Justin Benson

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

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Abstract

Freshwater mussels are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances and are unlikely to recover quickly from decline. Through an extensive desktop study, this thesis showed that mussels in Mediterranean-climate regions are more imperiled than other mussel species globally. Encouragingly, field surveys in southwestern Australia demonstrated that mussel populations can recover from decline if threats such as instream barriers and secondary salinity are mitigated. Further, the region's mussels have persisted through historical climate-change by contracting to refugia in multiple locations. These findings show that, despite the ongoing biodiversity crisis in freshwater ecosystems, opportunities exist for species conservation and restoration through effective management.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Cook, Barbara, Supervisor
  • Close, Paul, Supervisor
  • Lymbery, Alan, Supervisor, External person
Thesis sponsors
Award date19 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusUnpublished - 2021

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