Mussel Diversity in the Big South Fork
| The National Park Service cares about mussels in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. But why, you might ask. Mussels are a kind of barometer of water quality. Because mussels are sedentary and live on stream bottoms, they are among the first species to be affected by increased sedimentation, hazardous chemicals, or pollution. If mussels cannot survive, then fish and other aquatic species are also threatened. The chart below indicates that there may be some problems affecting mussels in the river. Can you find evidence in the chart?
The water quality of a stream or river is a function of the condition of the watershed. During the 20th century much of the marketable timber and coal resources of the Cumberland Plateau were removed, often using practices that did not protect water quality. These practices, together with some current agricultural use, oil and gas exploration, and settlement of the area have adversely impacted the water quality of the big south Fork and its tributaries. Because the park protects only 14% of the total watershed, activities occurring outside the park influence the water quality within the Big South Fork |
