The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels

Caryn C. Vaughn (University of Oklahoma)

$156

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Johns Hopkins University Press
20 January 2026

Ecological science, the Biosphere; Molluscs; Conservation of the environment

A comprehensive synthesis of mussel-driven ecosystem processes and their role in freshwater sustainability.

Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered animals on the planet—and some of the most ecologically important. As powerful filter feeders and ecosystem engineers, mussels influence everything from water clarity and nutrient cycling to the structure of entire aquatic communities. In The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels, Caryn C. Vaughn offers the most comprehensive synthesis to date of how mussels shape the ecosystems they inhabit.

Integrating more than 30 years of original field and laboratory research with a rapidly expanding global literature, Vaughn examines how mussels support water quality, contribute to biogeochemical processes, influence food web dynamics, and enhance biodiversity across aquatic and adjacent terrestrial environments. Chapters detail the biology and life history of mussels, the complex interactions within their communities, and the environmental conditions that influence their performance. Vaughn shows how species-specific traits and environmental context shape the magnitude of diverse mussel functions. With attention to the consequences of species composition, habitat variation, and climate stressors, the book shows how mussel-driven processes scale from individual organisms to entire river systems.

Vaughn presents practical strategies for conservation and explains how effective restoration requires linking mussel biology with the goals of broader ecosystem management. The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels is an essential reference for ecologists, conservation professionals, aquatic resource managers, and policymakers concerned with the sustainability of freshwater systems.

By: Caryn C. Vaughn (University of Oklahoma)
Imprint: Johns Hopkins University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 476g
ISBN: 9781421453521
ISBN 10: 1421453525
Pages: 216
Publication Date: 20 January 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , College/higher education , Undergraduate , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Caryn C. Vaughn is a George Lynn Cross Distinguished Research Professor and President's Associates Presidential Professor at the Oklahoma Biological Survey and in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma.