Terms of Reference

Assessment of Methods for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Freshwater Mussels

Regional Advisory Meeting

28 April 2011
Burlington, ON

Co-Chairpersons: Lynn Bouvier and Todd Morris

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science has been asked to provide peer reviewed approaches, and the information required, for the identification of critical habitat for freshwater mussels. Possible approaches to define critical habitat are required for mussels in riverine and lacustrine habitats. Although some approaches to the identification of critical habitat have been explored using known habitat preferences combined with existing habitat data in a single watershed, such methods are not adaptable to the full range of habitat conditions where Species at Risk (SAR) mussels occur in southwestern Ontario.

Current SAR policies recommend that science information to support the identification of critical habitat in Recovery Strategies and Actions Plans be peer reviewed. A peer review of the conceptual approaches to identifying critical habitat for four Ontario fishes was conducted in May 2008 and these approaches will be considered when developing methods specific to freshwater mussels. However, there has been no peer review related to possible methods for the identification of critical habitat for mussels. Approaches to define the spatial availability and/or suite of habitat features that may be required in the identification of critical habitat will be presented and discussed.  In addition, basic functional differences between benthic, sedentary mussels and active fishes will be discussed, as well as the implications that these differences may have on the identification of critical habitat. Another unique mussel life cycle characteristic to be considered is the utilisation of fish hosts and the implications that this may have on critical habitat identification.

Objectives

This advisory meeting is being held to assess the methods that may be used to identify critical habitat for freshwater mussels. Advice developed at the meeting will be used to inform decisions regarding the identification of critical habitat for SAR mussels throughout their range.   

Expected publications

The meeting will generate a proceedings report summarizing the deliberations of the participants. This will be published in the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Proceedings Series. Advice from the meeting will be published in the form of a Science Advisory Report. This report will be published in the CSAS Science Advisory Reports Series. 

Participants

Experts from DFO, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Central Michigan University, and Portt and Associates have been invited to this meeting. Participants will not exceed a maximum of 10 people.