BIODIVERSITY of OUACHITA UPLAND RIVERS
Freshwater ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them are imperiled disproportionately compared to other groups. The rivers of the Ouachita Uplands in southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.are relatively pristine, and may represent one of the last strongholds of freshwater biodiversity in North America.
An elktoe mussel, Alasmidonta marginata, from the Ouachita River
Over the past few years we have been documenting the biodiversity of invertebrates and fishes in major rivers of the Ouachita Uplands. Our surveys involve canoeing rivers and stopping in areas of appropriate habitat to survey mussels, benthic macroinvertebrates, meiofauna, and fishes. Environmental parameters are also measured at each site. The objectives of our project are to thoroughly document the biodiversity of these rivers and to examine associations between freshwater mussels and other aquatic groups. Organisms that we collect are sent to experts and museums around the country for identification and description, and we anticipate the discovery of new species of invertebrates. The information that we collect can be used as a baseline for future monitoring of these rivers.
This project has been funded by the Biotic Surveys & Inventories Program of the National Science Foundation by award DEB-9870092.
What is biodiversity and why is it an important area of research?
Descriptions of the river ecosystems studied in the Ouachita Uplands Biodiversity Project.
Listing of species surveyed in the rivers of the Ouachita Uplands. Understand more about highlighted species.
