Modeling Freshwater Mussel Distributions, Upper Midwest & Great Lakes Conservation Cooperative and the Midwest Landscape Initiative
Freshwater mussels perform many essential aquatic ecosystem services, but are among the most imperiled taxa in the world. This study generated species distribution models (SDMs) using Maxent, a machine-learning method for modeling species distributions, at a management-relevant spatial resolution for most mussel species found throughout the Midwestern United States. Study results provide valuable insight into species status and distributions, important and actionable factors influencing mussel occurrence, and spatial patterns of highly diverse or endemic regions.
Schartel, T.E., Cao, Y., Henning, B., Feng, M.-L., Hinz, L.C.Jr. (2021). Modelling and predicting freshwater mussel distributions in the Midwestern USA. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 31(12), 3370–3385. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3720.
Prioritizing Illinois Protected Lands, Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife
This project (2016–2018) prioritized Illinois Nature Preserves, Illinois Natural Area Inventory sites, and Biologically Significant Stream segments for protection and stewardship based on the quality of Natural Community Type and the presence of Species in Greatest Conservation Need. The results identify key aquatic and terrestrial locations for conservation work, provide common standards for evaluating statewide protection efforts, and inform conservation decision-making to meet regional conservation goals.
Feng, M.-L., Schartel, T.E., South, E., Henning, B., Cao, Y., Hinz Jr, L.C. (2021). Effectiveness of Illinois’ Protected Lands Network at supporting SGCN and
their habitats. INHS Technical Report, 19.
Other Past Projects
- Conservation and Restoration Prioritization Study, Cook County Forest Preserve District: Aquatic Assemblages and Habitats (2014–2015)
- Defining Expectations for Mussel Communities in Illinois Wadeable Streams, Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife (2013–2016)
- Investigating Mussel Communities in Wadeable Illinois Streams (Amendment), Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife
- Predicting the effects of climate changes on Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera species in the Upper Midwest streams, Great-Lakes LCC (2011–2015)
- Using museum records and distribution models to reconstruct the historical assemblage for Midwest Plecoptera, NSF (2009–2011)
- Monitoring the ecological impacts of increased train frequencies on aquatic habitats in forest preserves in suburban Chicago, West Chicago Forest Preserve Districts/CNRR (2009–2013)
- Evaluating Water Temperature, Habitat, and Fish Communities in Candidate Coolwater Streams in Illinois, IDNR-SWG (2008–2011)