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SECTION NO. 2 Draft Management Recommendations v. 2.0 by Joseph L. Furnish, and Roger W. Monthey December 1998 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table 1 Species: Mollusk species associated with cold-spring complexes (cold nasmodes) in the Sacramento River and Pit River systems, California. Designation of undescribed species follows that given in the Record of Decision (ROD) for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (1994). Common names are taken from Frest and Johannes (1993b).
Taxonomic Group: Mollusks (Phylum Mollusca; Class Gastropoda; Families Hydrobiidae and Pleuroceridae) ROD Components: All species in this document are Survey and Manage Strategies 1 & 2. Juga (Oreobasis) n. sp. 3 is also listed in the Standards and Guides for protection from grazing. Other Management Status: None Range: The distributions of all 6 species are based on recent surveys of 231 sites. All but 2 species are endemic (i.e., restricted) to the Upper Sacramento River system, California. The exceptions include: Fluminicola n. sp. 14, the Potem pebblesnail, and Fluminicola n. sp. 18, the Globular pebblesnail, both of which occur in the upper Sacramento River and the Pit River basins, California. These 2 species and Fluminicola n. sp. 16, the Shasta Springs pebblesnail, are the only ones in this group that are known to occur on federal land; all 3 occur within the Shasta National Forest. Specific Habitat: Habitats associated with this species group are cold, perennial springs with substrate material ranging in size from mud, sand, and silt to gravel, cobble, boulders, and talus (Table 1). It is a cool water, periphyton feeder (i.e., feeds on the algal and microbial film on aquatic macrophytes), and likely on detritus. In addition to cold springs, the Cinnamon Juga sometimes occurs in the Sacramento River. Many occupied spring sites are characterized by the presence of macrophytes including such species as water cress (Rorippa), monkey flower (Mimulus), horsetail (Equisetum), pondweed (Potamogeton filiformis), bryophytes (mosses), and lichens. Occupied sites range from 439-1375 m (1440-4510 ft.) in elevation (Table 1). Threats:
Management Recommendations: All sites occupied by these snails should be protected and monitored. Specific recommendations include:
Information Needs: Additional surveys should be conducted to locate populations in areas with potential suitable habitat. More monitoring or research is needed on habitat requirements of these species. Develop a collection of voucher specimens for appropriate administrative units within the range of these species. Provide additional training opportunities for identifying mollusk species and conducting surveys within the appropriate administrative units. Monitor water temperatures and other environmental parameters (e.g., sedimentation, dissolved oxygen) that potentially affect these species. Determine the minimum instream flow requirements necessary to maintain environmental conditions within physiological limits.
All of the 5 Fluminicola species are rare aquatic snails belonging to the family Hydrobiidae. The common name for this family is "spring snails," which is an allusion to the type of habitat where they are primarily found. All hydrobiid snails (i.e., of the family Hydrobiidae) have gills that make them dependent upon dissolved oxygen in the water in which they live. Like most hydrobiid snails, the snails of this group are highly sensitive to water pollution, oxygen deficits, elevated water temperatures, and sedimentation. Major predators include waterfowl, amphibians, turtles, sculpins, and trout. Typically, many individuals are infected with trematode parasites. Juga (Oreobasis) n. sp. 3 is a member of the family Pleuroceridae or "river snails." Not much is known about the ecology of this species. It occurs in large cold springs and spring runs, with sand-cobble substrate, in forested areas, along with one or more endemic Fluminicola species. This species is dependent upon dissolved oxygen in the water column and, like the Fluminicola species, is sensitive to water pollution, oxygen deficits, elevated water temperatures, and sedimentation. C. Range, Known Sites The distributions of all 6 species are based on recent surveys of 231 sites. All but 2 species are endemic (i.e., restricted) to the Upper Sacramento River system, California. The exceptions include: Fluminicola n. sp. 14, Potem pebblesnail, and Fluminicola n. sp. 18, Globular pebblesnail, both of which occur in the upper Sacramento River and the Pit River basins, California. Fluminicola n. sp. 14, Fluminicola n. sp. 18, and Fluminicola n. sp. 16, the Shasta Springs pebblesnail, are the only ones in this group that are known to occur on federal land; all 3 occur within the Shasta National Forest. Fluminicola n. sp. 14, Potem pebblesnail, is an Upper Sacramento endemic and appears to be restricted to small, perennial, cold, shallow spring runs in the upper Sacramento system (Frest and Johannes 1993a, 1995). The species has been collected from a total of 11 sites out of the 231 surveyed by Frest and Johannes (1995, Map 1), only one of which is on federal land in the Shasta National Forest (see Table 1). Fluminicola n. sp. 15, Flat-top pebblesnail, is an Upper Sacramento endemic. It is known to occur at only 4 spring sites on both sides of the Sacramento River at Shasta Springs and Mossbrae Falls (Frest and Johannes 1993a, 1995, Map 2, Table 1). There are no known sites on federal land. Fluminicola n. sp. 16, Shasta Springs pebblesnail, is an Upper Sacramento River endemic and is only found in the Shasta Springs area. Frest and Johannes (1993a, 1995) collected it from 19 sites, none of which are on federal land (Map 3, Table 1). Fluminicola n. sp. 17, Disjunct pebblesnail, is an Upper Sacramento River endemic and is found only in the Shasta Springs area. Frest and Johannes (1993a, 1995) collected it from 3 sites, none of which are on federal land (Map 4, Table 1). Fluminicola n. sp. 18, Globular pebblesnail, is in the upper Sacramento River and Pit River basins in small, perennial springs and spring headwaters. Frest and Johannes (1993a, 1995) collected it from 3 sites, none of which are on federal land (Map 5, Table 1). Juga (Oreobasis) n. sp. 3, Cinnamon Juga, is an upper Sacramento River endemic and a crenophile (i.e., prefers spring environments). There are 8 records of occurrence at Shasta Springs, Cantara Bend on the Sacramento River, Upper Soda Springs and below McBride Springs on Willow Creek (Map 6, Table 1). Thus far it has mostly been collected from spring complexes, with one record from the Sacramento River. Further collections may demonstrate that it occurs more widely in the Upper Sacramento River, which represents a habitat-type commonly occupied by congeneric (i.e., Juga) species in western California, Oregon, and Washington. D. Habitat Characteristics and Species Abundances Frest and Johannes (1993a) provided the following general description of the habitat for this species group in the Upper Sacramento system. The terrain is steep, moist, and comparatively well vegetated. Rivers and creeks are perennial, have relatively large discharges, and flow through deep, incised, shaded canyons. Vegetation is primarily coniferous and soils are thin and nutrient poor. Aquatic environments generally have clear, cold, well oxygenated, flowing waters that have relatively low concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. Macrophytes such as Mimulus, Potamogeton and/or Rorippa occur in patches at some occupied sites (see Table 1). Substrates range from mud, sand, and silt to gravel, cobble, boulders, and talus, mostly derived from metamorphic and igneous parent material with some sedimentary lithologies. Habitats of individual species are described below (see summary in Table 1). An estimate of abundance is not available for any of the species; however, populations of similar Fluminicola species may be quite dense. For example, F. seminalis reaches densities of 2000-3000 per m2 in the same vicinity. Under such circumstances it may constitute the major invertebrate biomass at a site. Fluminicola n. sp. 14, Potem pebblesnail - This species is a crenophile (i.e., it prefers spring habitats). Substrate types at occupied sites are usually mud, silt, and sand with scattered gravel, cobbles, and boulders. The species has been found at sites ranging from 439-963 m (1440-3160 ft.) in elevation. It has not yet been found to co-occur with other Fluminicola spp.; however, at a few of the sites, it co-occurred with Juga spp., and it occurred together once with Vorticifex effusa. Fluminicola n. sp. 15, Flat-top pebblesnail - This species is a crenophile. It occurs in small, perennial, cold springs or spring sources on gravel substrates. The species has been found at sites ranging from 756-841 m (2480-2520 ft.) in elevation. It sometimes co-occurs with the Shasta Springs and Globular pebblesnails, and occurs on both sides of the Sacramento River, at the Shasta Springs and Mossbrae Falls spring complexes. Fluminicola n. sp. 16, Shasta Springs pebblesnail - This species is a crenocole (i.e., it only occurs in springs). It occurs in the lower portions of larger springs, amid water cress (Rorippa), and mostly on pebbles and cobbles. The species has been found at sites ranging from 744-890 m (2440-2920 ft.) in elevation. It has 3 co-occurrences with the Disjunct pebblesnail at Shasta Springs and Rock Spring. It has 3 co-occurrences with Juga (O.) n. sp. 3; 2 at springs near Cantara Bend and one at Shasta Springs. Fluminicola n. sp. 17, Disjunct pebblesnail - This species is a crenocole, and it usually occurs in the lower portions of larger springs, commonly on Rorippa. It is only known to occur at 3 sites ranging from 756-768 m (2480-2520 ft.) in elevation. Fluminicola n. sp. 18, Globular pebblesnail - This species is a crenocole. It occurs in small springs and spring headwaters on the sides and undersides of stones in shaded areas. It may be photophobic. Occupied sites range from 750-853 m (2460-2800 ft.) in elevation. It co-occurs with the Flat-top pebble snail at Shasta Springs. Juga (Oreobasis) n. sp. 3, Cinnamon Juga - This species is quite rare. It generally occurs in large, cold, perennial springs at elevations ranging from 707-1375 m (2320-4510 ft.). There is one record from the Sacramento River, and it is possible that further collections will reveal more frequent occurrences there. Substrates at occupied sites ranged from mud and sand (rarely) to cobbles and gravel (more commonly); macrophytes including water cress (Rorippa), monkey flower (Mimulus), horsetail (Equisetum), and pondweed (Potamogeton) were usually present. It co-occurs with Fluminicola n. sp. 15 in the Mossbrae Falls spring complex on the east side of the Upper Sacramento River on a west-facing forested slope, and with Fluminicola n. sp. 16 at Shasta Springs on the west side of the river and in springs near Cantara Bend. A. Why Species is Listed Under Survey and Manage Standards and Guidelines Partially because of the high degree of endemism associated with these species, the FEMAT analysis (USDA, Forest Service, and USDI, Bureau of Land Management 1994) concluded that these species have low likelihood of attaining stable, well distributed populations. All of the species in this group are considered to be rare since they occur at a few, highly localized sites in restricted habitats. Five of the species are endemic to the Upper Sacramento River system. Historically all species in this group have suffered from habitat degradation so it is appropriate to protect surviving populations. B. Major Habitat and Viability Considerations Fluminicola species, like most hydrobiid snails, are highly sensitive to oxygen deficits (i.e., less than saturation levels), elevated water temperatures (above 18oC or 65oF), and sedimentation (i.e., smothering layers of fine sediment). These 5 Fluminicola species are only found in pristine springs that have cold, well oxygenated, clear water, generally with cobble and/or boulder substrates. Any activities that degrade these water quality parameters will adversely impact these Fluminicola species. The life history traits of Fluminicola species also put them at risk. All species appear to breed only once in their lifetime and then die. Usually 90 percent of the population turns over annually so any condition (e.g., excessive sedimentation, elevated water temperature) that impairs egg laying, or survivorship of eggs or young, may result in extirpation. Juga (Oreobasis) n. sp. 3 is also a gilled snail that is sensitive to alterations in water chemistry, oxygen deficits, and fine sediments. It is believed to be relatively long-lived, with many individuals reaching an age of 5 to 7 years. Declining population trends may not become apparent for a few years unless recruitment into the population is monitored by looking for the appearance of young individuals. C. Threats to the Species Some of the major threats to these species include: Chemical spills and other forms of water pollution (e.g., livestock use of springs and channel bottoms) resulting in effects such as: 1. direct mortality of species as evidenced by the recent (1991) Cantara Spill on the Upper Sacramento River, and 2. deleterious habitat alterations resulting from factors such as eutrophication caused by excessive fertilization, reduced dissolved oxygen levels, or elevated water temperatures. Dam construction that submerges cold springs, slows current velocities, lowers the availability of oxygen, and allows fine sediments to accumulate. Existing dams on the Sacramento River (e.g., Shasta Dam, Whiskeytown Reservoir, and Siskiyou Lake) and the Pit River have already caused extensive destruction of potentially suitable habitat. Reductions in water flow by water diversions, road construction, or pumping of aquifers resulting in elimination or reduction of aquatic habitat for snails. Excessive sedimentation from a variety of activities such as logging, mining, road and railroad grade construction, and grazing may smother substrates preferred by these species and may impair egg-laying or survivorship of eggs or young. D. Distribution Relative to Land Allocations Populations in the Upper Sacramento River and Pit River basins are located in areas allocated as Late-Successional Reserves or Managed Late-Successional Reserves. Field offices should refer to the Survey and Manage Database as well as maps of Late- Successional Reserves and other allocations in their administrative area to determine site locations in relation to specific land allocations. III. MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES A. Management Goal for the Taxon The management goal for these species is to assist in maintaining species viability. B. Specific Objectives Maintain water quantity (as determined on a site-specific basis) and water quality [e.g., high dissolved oxygen, stream temperatures below 18oC or (65o F)] at levels suitable for sustainability of these species. Maintain and/or restore native riparian plant communities by maintaining cool water temperatures (i.e., below 18oC) by providing shade, reducing sedimentation impacts, and providing litter fall nutrients to energy pathways in cold-spring complexes. Maintain integrity of streambed substrates by minimizing sedimentation, and preventing physical alteration of the site caused by grazing or road construction. A. Lessons from History Historically, species in this group and their habitats have suffered significant negative impacts from mining, logging, road and railroad grade construction, grazing, water pollution, and water manipulations over the last century. For example, hydraulic mining in the 1800s caused extensive damage by removal of riparian vegetation and by bank destruction, resulting in elevated water temperatures and excessive sedimentation of aquatic habitats. In addition, the need for lumber to sustain mining operations increased logging activities resulting in similar effects. Road and railroad grade construction in riparian areas also added to these effects. Grazing operations have impacted aquatic habitat by diverting, channelizing, or damming spring flow, thus affecting the quantity and quality of habitat, and livestock trampling of springs resulting in sedimentation and water pollution. Work initiated as part of the Central Valley Project (after 1937) and the California Water Project (in 1960) resulted in major habitat modifications. Dam construction on the Sacramento River (e.g., Shasta Dam, and dams creating Whiskeytown Reservoir and Siskiyou Lake) and Pit River caused extensive destruction of suitable habitat. Dam construction generally submerges cold springs, slows current velocities, lowers the availability of oxygen, and allows fine sediments to accumulate. Existing populations have been decimated and, as a result, they have become fragmented and isolated. In July 1991 any remaining populations in the Upper Sacramento River were apparently destroyed or greatly diminished when railroad cars carrying the herbicide metam sodium (Vapam) derailed at Cantara Bend and spilled into the river. This resulted in major impacts in the lower 40 miles of the river, with only the upper 3 miles unaffected by the spill. B. Identification of Habitat Areas for Management Identify the habitat areas around known site locations, including all habitat features that contribute to the environmental conditions important to the species at the known site. In most cases, the Riparian Reserve standards and guides for buffer widths and meeting Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives will be sufficient for management within these areas. In situations where RRS and ACS do not apply or are not considered sufficient (e.g., wetlands less than 1 acre, springs and seeps) apply the standards and guides for perennial stream widths to determine the size of the area. Where wind firmness is a problem, habitat area widths may need to be increased to protect species habitat conditions. C. Management Within Habitat Areas All sites occupied by these snails should be protected. Specific recommendations include: 1. Maintain water temperatures below 18oC (65oF) to avoid thermal stress and ensure adequate availability of oxygen. (18oC represents the critical threshold for trout.) 2. Maintain dissolved oxygen levels at or near saturation levels. 3. Maintain and/or restore native riparian plant communities that aids in maintaining cool water temperatures (i.e., below 18C) by providing shade, reducing sedimentation impacts, and providing litter fall nutrients to energy pathways in the stream ecosystem. 4. Avoid or mitigate for activities that could significantly increase sedimentation, pollution, or potential for eutrophication of occupied sites (e.g., logging, grazing, mining, construction activities, fertilizing, herbicides). 5. Avoid water diversions or other activities that may reduce water flow below levels necessary to sustain viable populations. This level must be determined on a site-specific basis, but these species generally need flowing water. 6. Avoid or mitigate for the construction of dams that could have the following negative impacts: submersion of cold springs, slowing of current velocities, lowering of dissolved oxygen, and increased sedimentation. D. Other Management Issues and Considerations If reestablishment is considered for some of these species, Frest and Johannes (1993a, 1995) advised for a similar species (F. seminalis) that relatively pure colonies should be reintroduced using fairly large numbers (i.e., in the range of several hundred to several thousand individuals per reintroduction site). Formerly occupied sites may be identified by consulting museum records. No other management issues and considerations are identified at this time. V. RESEARCH, INVENTORY, AND MONITORING NEEDS The objective of this section is to identify opportunities for additional information that could contribute to more effective species management. The content of this section has not been prioritized or reviewed as to how important the particular items are for species management. While the research, inventory, and monitoring information is not required, these recommendations should be addressed by a coordinating body at the Northwest Forest Plan level. A. Data Gaps and Information Needs Develop keys and descriptions that allow field offices to accurately identify these species. Conduct surveys to locate populations in areas identified as potential suitable habitat. Prioritize surveys in areas where management treatments or projects are scheduled or proposed. Surveys to reliably establish patterns of distribution have only recently been initiated (Frest and Johannes 1993a, 1995), so it is appropriate to conduct additional surveys in suitable habitats of the Sacramento River and Pit River basins prior to undertaking activities that may adversely impact these species. Conduct monitoring or research on habitat requirements of these species. Develop a collection of voucher specimens for appropriate administrative units within the range of these species. Monitor water temperatures at or in the vicinity of occupied sites using continuous reading thermometers, or at least maximum-minimum thermometers, to assure compliance. Monitor other environmental parameters (e.g., sedimentation, dissolved oxygen) that potentially affect these species. Determine the minimum instream flow requirements necessary to maintain environmental conditions within physiological limits. B. Research Questions Where did viable populations of these species occur prior to the Cantara spill? Can these species be reestablished at sites occupied prior to the spill? Are survey and manage provisions effective? If not, why? What should be done differently? What is the condition of existing populations with regard to absolute size and density? What are the dispersal mechanisms of these species? What are the specific habitat requirements of these species? How do these species respond to changes in water quality conditions and other disturbances? What implications, if any, does management for these species have on other species? C. Monitoring Needs and Recommendations Recommend protocols for monitoring presently known populations and conducting surveys. At a minimum, variables that should be monitored to track habitat quality include: (1) water temperature, (2) dissolved oxygen, (3) sedimentation, and (4) discharge at springs and creeks, or current velocity at river sites. VI. REFERENCES Frest, Terrence J. and Edward J. Johannes. 1993a. Freshwater Molluscs of the Upper Sacramento System, California with Particular Reference to the Cantara Spill. Deixis Consultants, 1992 Yearly Report. Unpublished report prepared for the State of California, Department of Fish and Game, Contract #FG2016R1. 101 pp. and 2 Appendices. ___________. 1993b. Mollusc Species of Special Concern within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Deixis Consultants, Final Report. Unpublished report prepared for the Forest Ecosystem Management Working Group, U.S.D.A. Forest Service; Pacific Northwest Region; Portland, OR. 98 pp. and 1 addendum. ___________. 1995. Freshwater Molluscs of the Upper Sacramento System, California with Particular Reference to the Cantara Spill. Deixis Consultants, 1994 Yearly Report. Unpublished report prepared for the State of California, Department of Fish and Game, Contract #FG2016R1. 88 pp. and 4 Appendices. Furnish, J. L. 1990. Factors Affecting the Growth, Production and Distribution of the Stream Snail Juga silicula (Gould). Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Oregon State University, 205 pp. Hawkins, C. P. and J. L. Furnish. 1987. Are Snails Important Competitors in Streams? Oikos 49:209-220. ROD. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Portland, OR. ii + 74 pp.; vii + 143 pp. Taylor, D. W. 1966. Summary of North American Blancan Nonmarine Mollusks. Malacologia 4:1-172. ___________. 1981. Freshwater Mollusks of California: A Distributional Checklist. California Fish and Game 67(3):140-163. Thompson, F. G. 1984. North American Freshwater Snail Genera of the Hydrobiid Subfamily Lithoglyphinae. Malacologia 25:109-141. USDA, Forest Service, and Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 1994. Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related species within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, Appendix A, Forest Ecosystem Management: An Ecological, Economic, and Social Assessment. Portland, OR. Table 1. Attributes of collection localities for Fluminicola and Juga species
KEY TO ENTRIES
Table 1 (continued) - Attributes of collection localities for Fluminicola and Juga species in the upper Sacramento and Pit River systems.
KEY TO ENTRIES
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