Threatened and Endangered Species

Freshwater mussels are one of the most critically imperiled groups of organisms worldwide. Encouraging mussel reproduction in a controlled setting has become an area of interest due to their widespread population declines and regional extinctions (Williams et al., 1993; Lydeard et al., 2004; Strayer et al., 2004; Haag 2012; Lopes-Lima et al., 2017). With constantly evolving techniques, rearing...

Western Pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) is a native mussel species of conservation concern in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. This species is of cultural importance to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). The current project is a collaboration between the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), the CTUIR, and USFWS to better understand...

Freshwater mussel conservation efforts depend on identifying habitat characteristics that are suitable for mussel reintroduction and restoration. CERC scientists are conducting research to understand how physical habitat dynamics affect the distribution of mussels and suitable habitat in streams and rivers.

The USGS Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project, a multi-year, interdisciplinary research study to determine factors leading to spawning and survival of the endangered pallid sturgeon and the closely related shovelnose sturgeon.

The non-invasive nature of eDNA methods for species detection is a great advantage for monitoring of rare, threatened, or endangered species.

Researchers from the University of Central Missouri (UCM), in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC), implement environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to identify and manage Topeka Shiner populations in Missouri.

CERC biologists focus on improving understanding of biomechanics of eggs, free embryos, and larvae through direct observation and measurement. An improved understanding of biomechanics – how biotic conditions and processes interact with physical processes to result in changes in survival – is necessary to create quantitative links between management actions and population-level results.

CERC fish biologists study migrations, reproductive cues, and spawning behaviors of reproductive wild and hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon (HOPS) in the Missouri River Basin.

This project centers on assimilation of data, interpretation of results, updating quantitative models, and providing policy-neutral, high-quality information to the agencies and stakeholders in the Missouri River Basin.

The Tri-State Mining District (TSMD) is a large (about 500 sq. mi.) historical lead and zinc mining area that includes portions of Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The TSMD yielded about 460 million tons of ore between 1885 and 1970, resulting in contamination of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and soils in the Spring River and Neosho River basins by lead, zinc, and other heavy metals.

Nearly 70% of the 300 mussel species in North America are endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. Environmental contaminants have been identified as a contributing factor to the decline of mussel populations.

CERC scientists apply advanced measurement and modeling approaches to quantifying habitats in large rivers. Our research has been applied to improving the understanding of the reproductive ecology of the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River.