Letter to the Editor - Conservation of Freshwater Mussels in Iowa

Authors

K. Elizabeth Poole, Iowa State University

Document Type

Commentary

Abstract

Freshwater mussels occur in a variety of aquatic ecosystems worldwide but nowhere is mussel species richness as high as is reported in North America. With nearly 300 recorded species in the U.S., mussels are key components of freshwater biodiversity playing a vital role in benthic communities. Ecologically important in biological processing and nutrient cycling, mussels are also an important food item for a variety of mammals including mink, otter, and raccoon. In addition to ecological importance, freshwater mussels have been economically important in the production of cultured pearls.

Publication Date

July-December 2005

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

112

Issue

3-4

First Page

27

Last Page

27

Copyright

© Copyright 2007 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Poole, K. Elizabeth (2005) "Letter to the Editor - Conservation of Freshwater Mussels in Iowa," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 112(3-4), 27-27.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol112/iss3/3