A review of freshwater gastropod conservation: challenges and opportunities

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Lysne, Steven J.; Perez, Kathryn E.; Brown, Kenneth M.; Minton, Russell L.; Sides, Jeffrey D.

Source:

Journal of the North American Benthological Society, The Society for Freshwater Science, Volume 27, Issue 2, p.463-470 (2008)

Call Number:

A08LYS01IDUS

Keywords:

Banbury Springs lanx, Bliss Rapids snail, Bruneau hot springsnail, freshwater gastropods, Haitia natricina, Lanx sp., Physa natricina, Pyrgulopsis bruneauensis, Snake River physa snail, Taylorconcha serpenticola

Abstract:

North American freshwater gastropods remain an understudied, yet critically imperiled, fauna. As part of a larger discussion on freshwater mollusks in this special issue, the authors review 4 specific areas of concern regarding freshwater gastropods and discuss how best to address those concerns in the context of conservation. Areas of concern include freshwater gastropod conservation strategies, taxonomy and systematics, ecological research, and conservation challenges. How each of these topics relates to conservation efforts is illustrated, and opportunities to improve baseline knowledge of freshwater gastropod taxonomy, ecology, and conservation is discussed. Emphasized throughout is that effective conservation strategies require the participation of as many affected and interested groups, from local communities to governmental agencies, as possible for successful implementation and management. Suggestions are offered for the direction of cooperative conservation with regard to freshwater gastropods.