Final Report: Assessing the Impacts of Rapid Rainfall Shifts (“Whiplashes” and “Boomerangs”) on Freshwater Mussels in Central Texas
Dates
Publication Date
2023-12-27
Citation
Elinor Martin, 2023-12-27, Final Report: Assessing the Impacts of Rapid Rainfall Shifts (“Whiplashes” and “Boomerangs”) on Freshwater Mussels in Central Texas: U.S. Geological Survey.
Summary
The ecosystem of a river is dependent on the climate of the region. The amount of rainfall can impact the flow of the river and the water levels and temperature of the air can impact the temperature of the river. Some species, such as freshwater mussels, that exist in many rivers in Central Texas, are very sensitive to the temperature and amount of water in the river. In this study, we use the Texas fatmucket freshwater mussel species (Lampsilis bracteata) as a case study to understand impacts to freshwater mussels due to climate changes in the San Saba and Llano rivers of Central Texas. In central Texas, rainfall is expected to decrease while temperature increases as the climate changes. Drought and flooding events are expected to [...]
Summary
The ecosystem of a river is dependent on the climate of the region. The amount of rainfall can impact the flow of the river and the water levels and temperature of the air can impact the temperature of the river. Some species, such as freshwater mussels, that exist in many rivers in Central Texas, are very sensitive to the temperature and amount of water in the river. In this study, we use the Texas fatmucket freshwater mussel species (Lampsilis bracteata) as a case study to understand impacts to freshwater mussels due to climate changes in the San Saba and Llano rivers of Central Texas. In central Texas, rainfall is expected to decrease while temperature increases as the climate changes. Drought and flooding events are expected to increase in the region, with more rapid changes, or “whiplashes” between wet and dry conditions. This study finds that streamflow is projected to decrease and stream temperature is projected to increase for the San Saba and Llano rivers. As the Texas fatmucket species is unable to survive above certain water temperatures, this study used species specific temperature thresholds to show that lethal temperature events for the species will increase dramatically. The decrease in streamflow and increase in temperatures projected in this study implies that the Texas fatmucket will face increasing stress to survive in the current habitat, and may be unable to survive in these locations in the future. This study illustrates the benefits of developing species specific climate information for the future and will inform species assessments and management plans for the future.
