Author : Wendell R. Haag
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 1139560190
Total Pages : 523 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (395 download)
Book Synopsis North American Freshwater Mussels by : Wendell R. Haag
Download or read book North American Freshwater Mussels written by Wendell R. Haag and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2012-08-27 with total page 523 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This well-illustrated book highlights freshwater mussels' fabulous diversity, amazing array of often bizarre ecological adaptations and their dire conservation plight. Summarizing and synthesizing historical and contemporary information as well as original research and analysis, the book describes the diverse array of mussel life history strategies and builds a cohesive narrative culminating in the development of explicit frameworks to explain pervasive patterns in mussel ecology. The fascinating and colorful role of mussels in human society is also described in detail, including the little-known pearl button industry of the early 1900s and the wild and often violent shell harvest of the 1990s. The final chapter details humans' efforts to save these fascinating animals and gives a prognosis for the future of the North American fauna. The book provides the first comprehensive review of mussel ecology and conservation for scientists, natural resource professionals, students and natural history enthusiasts.