Case study:Improving the Conservation Status of Freshwater Pearl Mussel Targeting the Clun SAC and Upstream Waters

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Location: 52° 27' 19.75" N, 3° 12' 51.23" W
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Project overview

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Status In progress
Project web site
Themes Environmental flows and water resources, Fisheries, Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology, Land use management - agriculture, Land use management - forestry, Monitoring, Social benefits, Water quality
Country England
Main contact forename Mike
Main contact surname Kelly
Main contact user ID
Contact organisation Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership
Contact organisation web site http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/
Partner organisations Natural England, Environment Agency, CSFI, Land Life and Livelihoods, local farmers and landowners
Parent multi-site project
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encompassing the following
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Project summary

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Objectives
- To restore the Clun SAC to favourable Condition
- Riparian habitat restoration/creation by stock exclusion, control of Phytophthora alni by coppicing, tree planting, provision of sustainable livestock watering, improvements in stock crossings
- Surveys and scoping studies to inform conservation activity

Background
Clun SAC was designated in 2004 for it population of Freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) demonstrating the European and UK government commitment to its protection. The SAC is in unfavorable condition - Pearl mussels are indicators of excellent water quality, requiring oligotrophic water for their survival. Recruiting populations of pearl mussels help maintain good water quality, as individuals they are able to filter up to 50 litres of water per day to help maintain habitat for other freshwater wildlife (including host salmonids). Pearl mussels are keystone species and are model species to deliver catchment wide conservation strategies; by protecting the pearl mussel, river habitats will be improved for a range of other species.

Reasons for the project
Freshwater pearl mussels are dependent on low sediment and nutrient levels, fast flows of cool water, clean gravels and fringing shade. They also rely on the presence of juvenile salmonids for part of their life-cycle. It is thought that the decline in the population has been occurring for a number of decades, age profiles indicate a population that has failed to recruit juveniles probably since the 1960’s. Recruiting populations are usually numbered in the hundreds of thousands, the Clun population is now estimated at just over 1000 individuals, considered to be permanently stressed and in rapid decline they are in danger of imminent extinction.

Monitoring surveys and results

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Catchment and subcatchment



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Reasons for river restoration

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Measures

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Monitoring

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