Earth Day 2015 - Recognizing Endangered Species Project - Georgia Pigtoe Mussel

Aquatic Life & Ecosystem

Project Name

Earth Day 2015 - Recognizing Endangered Species Project - Georgia Pigtoe Mussel

Project Description

The Georgia Pigtoe mussel, Pleurobema, hanleyianum, which was considered extinct in 2000, is now considered endangered due to habitat loss from dams, channelization and pollution. The Georgia Pigtoe mussel lives its entire life in the water, feeding as a filter-feeder and reproducing in the water and therefore is greatly affected by the quality of water in which it lives. The mussels need to be saved as they provide the ecosystem service of filtering the water of microscopic bacteria and algae. We can help these organisms by not contributing to the pollution of small rivers and tributaries and also by not disturbing the shoals of these rivers in which the mussel lives.

Body of Water

None selected

Project Owner

Ann.nemeck