A comprehensive synthesis of mussel-driven ecosystem processes and their role in freshwater sustainability.
Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered animals on the planet—and some of the most ecologically important. As powerful filter feeders and ecosystem engineers, mussels influence everything from water clarity and nutrient cycling to the structure of entire aquatic communities. In The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels, Caryn C. Vaughn offers the most comprehensive synthesis to date of how mussels shape the ecosystems they inhabit.
Integrating more than 30 years of original field and laboratory research with a rapidly expanding global literature, Vaughn examines how mussels support water quality, contribute to biogeochemical processes, influence food web dynamics, and enhance biodiversity across aquatic and adjacent terrestrial environments. Chapters detail the biology and life history of mussels, the complex interactions within their communities, and the environmental conditions that influence their performance. Vaughn shows how species-specific traits and environmental context shape the magnitude of diverse mussel functions. With attention to the consequences of species composition, habitat variation, and climate stressors, the book shows how mussel-driven processes scale from individual organisms to entire river systems.
Vaughn presents practical strategies for conservation and explains how effective restoration requires linking mussel biology with the goals of broader ecosystem management. The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels is an essential reference for ecologists, conservation professionals, aquatic resource managers, and policymakers concerned with the sustainability of freshwater systems.
Caryn C. Vaughn is a George Lynn Cross Distinguished Research Professor and Presidents Associates Presidential Professor at the Oklahoma Biological Survey and in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma.
Chapter One. Introduction Chapter Two. Habitat and Habitat Engineering Chapter Three. Mussel Populations and Assemblages Chapter Four. Feeding and Biofiltration Chapter Five. Mussel Roles in Biogeochemical Cycling Chapter Six. Mussel Roles in Food Webs Chapter Seven. Mussels in the Anthropocene Chapter Eight. Ecosystem Services of Mussels References Acknowledgments Index
A comprehensive synthesis of mussel-driven ecosystem processes and their role in freshwater sustainability.
A fitting capstone to Caryn Vaughns remarkable career, this book details how biological processes of freshwater mussels positively impact riverine habitats, promoting ecosystem function. Expertly researched and concisely written, the text is accessible to students and professionals alike. An invaluable guide to understanding the intricacies of freshwater mussels.
—Paul D. Johnson, Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
A compact, readable synthesis of the important research that Vaughn and her colleagues have done, as well as current scientific studies from around the world. Essential reading for anyone who is interested in freshwater mussels, and a valuable resource for all aquatic ecologists.
—David L. Strayer, author of Beyond the Sea: The Hidden Life in Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands
Caryn Vaughn and her students have transformed the study of freshwater mussels. They have examined the roles these organisms play as ecosystem engineers and the important ecosystem services they provide. This book details their work and that of others who have changed how we view these organisms as key components of freshwater systems.
—Daniel J. Hornbach, Macalester College
Vaughn brings us up to date on the fascinating biology, ecology, and importance of imperiled, underappreciated freshwater mussels. Highlighting their crucial roles: filtering water, enriching bed sediments, and enhancing habitat for other valued freshwater biota, Vaughns book motivates readers to appreciate, protect, and perhaps recover the native freshwater mussel populations that could help us sustain healthier rivers and lakes.
—Mary E. Power, University of California, Berkeley
