About Western Mussel Atlas
What is the Western Mussel Atlas?
The Western Mussel Atlas (WMA) is a collaborative effort to better understand the distribution of freshwater mussels in western North America. It began in 2008 as a database of freshwater mussel occurrence records to support their research and conservation, and was jointly developed by the Xerces Society and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in collaboration with the public and members of the Pacific Northwest Native Freshwater Mussel Workgroup. Since then, the Western Mussel Atlas project has grown to incorporate additional tools and resources with the goal of advancing our collective understanding of freshwater mussels.
LINK: Xerces Society
LINK: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
LINK: Pacific Northwest Native Freshwater Mussel Workgroup
What can you do through the Western Mussel Atlas?
LINK: WMA Data Dashboard
LINK: User Guide
LINK: Western Freshwater Mussel Database
LINK: Visual Survey Protocol Framework
LINK: Visual Survey Protocol Framework
LINK: WMA Data Portal
LINK: Exploratory Survey123 Form
LINK: Incidental Survey123 Form
If you have further questions about data submission, contact mussels@xerces.org.
LINK: Mussels@xerces.org
Why focus on freshwater mussels?
Freshwater mussels are the animals you never knew you couldn’t live without. Like pollinators, freshwater mussels provide vital services that underpin entire ecosystems. As filter-feeding powerhouses, freshwater mussels are constantly removing impurities, sequestering heavy metals, and even removing pharmaceuticals and bacteria such as E. coli. They provide food, shelter and habitat that other riparian and aquatic organisms like crayfish, fish, birds, otters, muskrats, raccoons, and other wildlife depend on, and they are recognized by Tribes as a “first food” of important cultural significance. They are also long-lived—up to 100 years—and can serve as excellent bioindicators of long-term stream health.
North America is home to about 300 species of freshwater mussels and, unfortunately, it is estimated that 35 or more of those species are already extinct. Among freshwater mussel species found all over the world, it is estimated that 45% of the assessed species are “near threatened” or “threatened” with extinction or are already extinct. By identifying where these important yet hidden animals live, we can help protect them from threats like dams and water diversions, warming waters, and exposure to toxic chemicals. In turn, freshwater mussels will protect entire waterways.
For more information on the importance of freshwater mussels, visit the Xerces Society’s freshwater mussel conservation webpage.
LINK: Freshwater mussel conservation webpage
Notice: Below is a list of 13 important links included on this page.
2. Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
3. Pacific Northwest Native Freshwater Mussel Workgroup
5. User Guide
6. Western Freshwater Mussel Database
7. Visual Survey Protocol Framework
8. Visual Survey Protocol Framework
10. Exploratory Survey123 Form
13. Freshwater mussel conservation webpage
Please note that while screen readers have made significant strides, they may still lack full support for optimal web accessibility.
What is the Western Mussel Atlas?
The Western Mussel Atlas (WMA) is a collaborative effort to better understand the distribution of freshwater mussels in western North America. It began in 2008 as a database of freshwater mussel occurrence records to support their research and conservation, and was jointly developed by the Xerces Society and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in collaboration with the public and members of the Pacific Northwest Native Freshwater Mussel Workgroup. Since then, the Western Mussel Atlas project has grown to incorporate additional tools and resources with the goal of advancing our collective understanding of freshwater mussels.
What can you do through the Western Mussel Atlas?
- Discover where freshwater mussels are found through the WMA Data Dashboard, a resource for viewing mussel distribution information, including the watersheds and a list of waterbodies where mussels have been reported. You can also view and download information on where environmental DNA (eDNA) samples have been tested for species’ presence. Reference the User Guide for information on how to use the Dashboard.
- Access the Western Freshwater Mussel Database for professional research or conservation purposes. You can create an account to gain access to the database.
- Learn how to conduct and report on mussel surveys to contribute data to the WMA.The Visual Survey Protocol Framework is a resource for conducting and reporting on mussel surveys, both when surveys result in detection of mussels and when they don’t. This information is critical for conservation, management, and research efforts.
- Contribute your data. You can share mussel survey data collected using the Visual Survey Protocol Framework through the WMA Data Portal or through our field-ready Exploratory Survey123 Form. If you have casual or incidental observations of mussels, you can share those through our Incidental Survey123 Form.
If you have further questions about data submission, contact mussels@xerces.org.
Why focus on freshwater mussels?
Freshwater mussels are the animals you never knew you couldn’t live without. Like pollinators, freshwater mussels provide vital services that underpin entire ecosystems. As filter-feeding powerhouses, freshwater mussels are constantly removing impurities, sequestering heavy metals, and even removing pharmaceuticals and bacteria such as E. coli. They provide food, shelter and habitat that other riparian and aquatic organisms like crayfish, fish, birds, otters, muskrats, raccoons, and other wildlife depend on, and they are recognized by Tribes as a “first food” of important cultural significance. They are also long-lived—up to 100 years—and can serve as excellent bioindicators of long-term stream health.
North America is home to about 300 species of freshwater mussels and, unfortunately, it is estimated that 35 or more of those species are already extinct. Among freshwater mussel species found all over the world, it is estimated that 45% of the assessed species are “near threatened” or “threatened” with extinction or are already extinct. By identifying where these important yet hidden animals live, we can help protect them from threats like dams and water diversions, warming waters, and exposure to toxic chemicals. In turn, freshwater mussels will protect entire waterways.
For more information on the importance of freshwater mussels, visit the Xerces Society’s freshwater mussel conservation webpage.
