Mussel Contribution to River Ecosystem

In addition to filtering water, the mussel is a keystone species in the Mississippi River, providing critical benefits to the river ecosystem. 

• What do mussels need to live and grow that is found in the river ecosystem?

• What influences mussels growth in the river ecosystem?
• How would changes to the mussel population impact the river ecosystem?

Students could:

• Brainstorm how organisms survive and grow in a river ecosystem.
• Organize and analyze data showing different populations that live in a river ecosystem. 
• Make predictions based on data about relationships in a river ecosystem. 
• Research the history of mussel populations in Iowa’s rivers. 
• Make a hypothesis about any changes in mussel populations in Iowa’ rivers.  
• Compare and contrast changes in river systems with numbers of mussels in Iowa’s rivers over time.  

• PBS LearningMedia | Iowa Land and Sky: Scientists Study Endangered Species in Iowa's Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve: With 510 acres, Big Sand Mound is home to undisturbed prairies, shallow ponds and woodlands, and it has the highest concentration of threatened and endangered species in the state
• Nature International Journal of Science | Prepare River Ecosystems for an Uncertain Future:  This June 2019 article explains what is happening to river ecosystems and how change can be implemented and sustained.  
• US Department of Agriculture | Ecosystem Matters: This contains ecosystem curriculum for high school, middle school, and elementary school.      
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Ecosystem Services: This resource defines ecosystems and explains what researchers are doing to maintain ecosystems.