Abstract
In the first part of this chapter the threats to naiad populations will be considered. There is growing awareness that these mussels are particularly sensitive to threats. More than 70% of the North American species are declining, some of them being already extinct (Master 1990; Bogan 1993; Johnson and Brown 1998; Chap. 12, this Vol.). However, in many countries still little attention is being paid to the situation of naiads (Pfeiffer 1999; Chap. 2, this Vol.). On the other hand, a very sensitive species whose decline is well documented in some of its distribution areas is the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera). Since it produces valuable pearls, its occurrence was frequently recorded a long time ago (e.g. v. Hessling 1859). An extensive summary on its status is given by Young et al. (this Vol.). Meanwhile, a number of conservation measures are being taken for various endangered species (e.g. Chaps. 2, 8, 19, this Vol.).
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Bauer, G., Wächtler, K. (2001). Environmental Relationships of Naiads: Threats, Impact on the Ecosystem, Indicator Function. In: Bauer, G., Wächtler, K. (eds) Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida. Ecological Studies, vol 145. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56869-5_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56869-5_16
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