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Sonar technology and underwater imagery analysis can enhance invasive Dreissena distribution assessment in large rivers

  • FRESHWATER BIVALVES
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Abstract

Dreissena spp. are aggressive invaders of many waterbodies worldwide. However, the accurate assessment of their spatial distribution in large rivers is difficult using traditional sampling techniques such as Ponar grabs or SCUBA diving. The aim of this study was to use sonar technologies and underwater imagery (videos, still images) in tandem with traditional Ponar sampling to predict Dreissena presence, and produce a habitat suitability map to enhance our understanding of its spatial distribution in the lower Niagara River, New York, USA. Geo-referenced maps of environmental variables were generated using three sonar technologies: side scan sonar, multibeam sonar, and an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler. Dreissena presence/absence was determined at 102 sites along a 10 km stretch using Ponar grabs supplemented by an underwater imagery. Substrate and near-bottom flow were the most important variables affecting Dreissena distribution. Habitats with coarse substrate and near-bottom flow of 0.6–0.80 m/s were predicted to be most often occupied. The habitat suitability model indicates that almost 90% of the stream bed in the river can be considered highly- or moderately suitable habitat. Our results demonstrate that supplementing traditional sampling with sonar technologies and underwater imagery can greatly improve Dreissena distribution assessment at the ecosystem scale.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Ecological Greenway Fund entitled ‘Investigating Lake Sturgeon habitat use, feeding ecology and benthic resource availability in the lower Niagara River’, (Project 1113459, Award 66141). The authors thank Eric Bruestle, Joshua Fisher, and Mark Clapsadl from the Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State for their assistance in the field. The authors are grateful to Master student Anthony Cevaer from the Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State who helped processing sampled in the laboratory. Finally, the authors sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Great Lakes Center, Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY, 14222, USA

    K. Mehler, L. E. Burlakova & A. Y. Karatayev

  2. The Research Foundation of The State University of New York, Buffalo State College, Office of Sponsored Programs, Buffalo, NY, USA

    K. Mehler & L. E. Burlakova

  3. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY, 14013, USA

    Z. Biesinger, C. Castiglione & D. Gorsky

  4. Civil and Coastal Engineering Department, University of Florida, 365 Weil Hall, PO Box 116580, Gainesville, FL, 32611-6580, USA

    A. Valle-Levinson

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  1. K. Mehler
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  2. L. E. Burlakova
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Correspondence to K. Mehler.

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Guest editors: Manuel P. M. Lopes-Lima, Ronaldo G. Sousa, Lyuba E. Burlakova, Alexander Y. Karatayev & Knut Mehler / Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Bivalves

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Mehler, K., Burlakova, L.E., Karatayev, A.Y. et al. Sonar technology and underwater imagery analysis can enhance invasive Dreissena distribution assessment in large rivers. Hydrobiologia 810, 119–131 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-3040-z

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