| Author |
Sanches Fernandes, L. F. Pereira, M. G. Sousa, R. Pacheco, F. A. L. Santos, R. M. B. Teixeira, A. Lopes-Lima, M. Varandas, S. G. P. Cortes, R. M. V. |
| Description |
Country affiliation: Portugal Author Affiliation: Santos RM ( Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.); Sanches Fernandes LF ( Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.); Varandas SG ( Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.); Pereira MG ( Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal); Sousa R ( CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal); Teixeira A ( Mountain Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, Ap. 1172, 5301-854 Bragança, Portugal.); Lopes-Lima M ( Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.); Cortes RM ( Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.); Pacheco FA ( Chemistry Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, Ap. 1013, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal. Electronic address: fpacheco@utad.pt.) |
| Abstract |
In this study, we assess the impacts of future climate and land-use in the Beça River (northern Portugal) under different scenarios and how this will translate into the conservation status of the endangered pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758). This species is currently present in several stretches of the Beça River that still hold adequate ecological conditions. However, the species is threatened by projected declines in precipitation for the 21st century, with implication on the river flows and water depths that might decrease below the species requisites. This situation could be especially critical during summer conditions since the ecological flows may not be assured and several river stretches may be converted into stagnant isolated pools. The habitat connectivity will also be affected with reverberating effects on the mobility of Salmo trutta, the host of M. margaritifera, with consequences in the reproduction and recruitment of pearl mussels. In addition, human-related threats mostly associated with the presence of dams and an predicted increases in wildfires in the future. While the presence of dams may decrease even further the connectivity and river flow, with wildfires the major threat will be related to the wash out of burned areas during storms, eventually causing the disappearance of the mussels, especially the juveniles. In view of future climate and land-use change scenarios, conservation strategies are proposed, including the negotiation of ecological flows with the dam promoters, the replanting of riparian vegetation along the water course and the reintroduction of native tree species throughout the catchment. |
