Doctoral researcher Mahsa Hajisafarali presents her dissertation research "Effect of catchment characteristics on dietary resource use and condition of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera)"
ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic pressures, such as land use activities in catchment areas, can increase nutrient load in rivers. This affects the availability and quality of food sources for filter feeders like the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera, FPM). This species is long-lived and critically endangered, typically inhabiting oligotrophic headwater rivers that receive large inputs of terrestrial organic matter. In my study, I examined the effect of catchment characteristics along environmental gradients, ranging from pristine to heavily impacted by human activity. I investigated how changes in these catchments affect the availability of food sources for FPM and how mussel condition varies with environmental changes and dietary resource use.
Welcome!
