Statement of Interest
W912HZ-15-SOI-0029
Project to be initiated in October 2015
Project Title: Developing quantitative-based approaches for determining impacts of
navigation and ecosystem restoration projects on endangered freshwater mussels in the
navigable waters of the United States
Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystems Study Unit
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential
investigators for a project to be funded by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, MS. Approximately
$52,000 is expected to be available to support this two (2) year project ($26,000 per
year).
Background:
Freshwater mussels are critical components of aquatic ecosystems because they
provide numerous ecosystem services including habitat enhancement, facilitating
biodiversity, stabilizing substrate, nutrient cycling, and water quality improvements.
There are over 300 species of freshwater mussels in the United States, and over 43%
of them are listed as endangered species. This imperiled taxonomic group is under
intense pressure because most species are limited to narrow geographic distributions,
due in part to complex life cycles that can include multiple host species. Freshwater
mussels occur across the nation, and every species has the potential to be placed on
the endangered species list. This would lead to considerable expenditures for both the
government and public. Understanding how mussel assemblages are distributed
throughout the United States and isolating the factors that cause them to be rare or
endangered would provide significant benefits to both the government and the public.
Being able to proactively plan for the impacts that a project could have on a mussel
assemblage can significantly reduce time and cost. There is a strong need for
quantitative-based approaches that can help natural resource managers develop
strategies to maintain viable populations of these critical species. Given the rapid urban
growth in the United States, predicting future trends in mussel assemblage abundance
over time is critical so preventative measures can be taken before project and mitigation
costs increase exponentially.
Distribution of freshwater mussel communities is not well understood, due in part to a
complex life cycle that includes a parasitic larval stage that requires fish as a host.
Further, local hydraulic and environmental conditions can drive species distributions
both locally and regionally. Given the importance of mussel communities to aquatic
ecosystems, and the fact that they are becoming increasingly imperiled, it is imperative
to determine the physical and abiotic parameters that are associated with mussel guilds
throughout the waterways of the United States. A study that quantifies the physical and
environmental parameters that drive the spatial distribution of mussel communities in
both lentic and lotic systems will help to understand the complex relationships between
mussels and their environment. The results of this study can be used to develop an
ecological model that will empower natural resource and project managers to develop
management strategies that can sustain populations of these critical aquatic species.
Brief Description of Anticipated Work:
This research shall benefit the public because the management and protection
freshwater mussels are important to maintaining the overall health of aquatic
ecosystems. For example, freshwater mussels improve water quality by filtering out
potentially harmful compounds from the water column. This allows the public to continue
have access to recreational lakes that are suitable for fishing. The results of this study
shall be published in a peer-reviewed journal article that will provide others with a
comprehensive study on the physical and environmental parameters that influence the
distribution of freshwater mussels. Furthermore, an ecological model shall be developed
that others can use to develop management strategies that can sustain populations of
these critical aquatic species. This research project shall focus on developing
quantitative models that correlate physical and environmental parameters to the spatial
distribution of mussel guilds throughout the United States. A database of known mussel
guilds shall be established. Data shall be collected on local habitat factors, especially
hydraulic parameters. Sites shall be monitored for mussel distribution. Remotely sensed
data such as channel slope, inundation regimes and extend, Lidar imagery, and other
available data sources shall be collected. The overall objective is to provide a multiscale spatial and temporal analysis of hydraulic habitats that integrates important local
hydraulic variables such as shear stress and Reynolds numbers with reach scale
metrics such as slope, confinement, inundation area, riparian buffers, land use, and
dam location.
Available data on distribution of mussels, hydraulic measurements, and landscape
habitat factors shall be used to develop a predictive model for mussel presence. Once
this model has been thoroughly evaluated, it could be used to make mussel surveys
more efficient and effective, significantly reducing overall expenditures and the model
could then be used to focus mussel surveys to sites that have a high probability of
mussel presence.
Objectives:
The objectives of the project for Year 1 are:
1. Gather available remotely senses data for spatial analyses on: 1) mussel and fish
distribution, 2) available measured microhabitat data, 3) elevation data to
compute channel slope, confinement, inundation regimes and extent, 4) soil data
to assess size and connectivity to floodplain, 5) land cover and land use within
relevant riparian zones
2. Determine potential field survey locations using a GIS based spatial analysis.
The analysis will examine existing mussel distribution data in light of the local,
reach and basin scale characteristics noted in Task 1, to develop a working
hypothesis on high probability of mussel presence and absence using
multivariate analyses. This shall include factors such as slope, distance from
confluence, distance from dams, confinement versus changes in inundation area
(an index of hydraulic channel heterogeneity and stability) as well as other spatial
attributes
3. Generate a peer-reviewed journal article or articles in conjunction with ERDC
researchers.
The objectives of the project for Year 2 are as follows:
1. Analysis of data on mussel distribution and hydraulic habitat. Measured hydraulic
data and mussel distribution data will be used to update our spatial database.
The spatial distribution of mussels will be also analyzed in relation to distance
with dams, location in stream network (e.g., confluences, subwatershed size,
stream order etc.), landscape habitat factors (e.g., land use in riparian zone), and
host fish distribution.
2. Develop predictive model. Data collected in the field from the first year in
combination with landscape variables gathered for spatial analysis (Year 1, Task
1) shall be used to develop a predictive model. Potential predictors include a
measure for substrate stability, inundation during drought, channel slope, land
cover in riparian zone.
3. Evaluate model developed in Year 2 - Task 2, using state-of-the-art evaluation
techniques
4. Apply model to determine potential spatial distributions of mussel communities.
5. Generate a peer-reviewed journal article or articles in conjunction with ERDC
researchers.
Requirements:
Successful applicants should have expert knowledge with mussel ecology, statistics,
and hydrodynamic modeling, as well as related work experience in developing and fieldbased studies on freshwater mussels. Candidates need prior experience with statistical
analysis and ecological theory on mussel dynamics. Candidates will be required to
submit monthly status reports and a final (annual report) within 4 months of completion
of the field and modeling studies. ERDC and the candidates will develop a draft of the
journal article or articles for internal peer review before the end of FY16 for Year 1, and
FY17 for Year 2. Field studies will occur in Central Texas (the USACE-SWF region), so
applicants should be located within the region for field studies.
Government Participation:
The ERDC will work cooperatively with the investigator to identify issues related to
experimental design and model development, and mussel issues facing USACE. ERDC
scientists will provide will provide any training for the candidates on model usage, and
will participate in the preparation of peer-reviewed journal papers to insure wide
dissemination of these findings.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:
Please provide the following via e-mail to:
Amanda.Andrews@usace.army.mil (maximum length 2 pages, single spaced 12 pt.
font)
1) Name, Organization and Contact Information
2) Brief Statement of Qualifications including:
a. Biographical Sketch
b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief description of project
c. Staff, faculty and students available including area of expertise
d. Brief description of capabilities to successfully complete this project
Note: A proposed budget is NOT requested at this time.
Review of Statements Received:
Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or
investigators will be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be
evaluated based on investigators specific experience and capabilities in areas related to
the study requirements. Additionally, the evaluation method and selection criteria for
research and development awards must be: 1) The technical merits of the proposed
research and development; and 2) Potential relationship of the proposed research and
development to the Department of Defense missions.
Please send responses or direct questions to:
Amanda Andrews
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
ERDC Contracting Office (ECO)
3909 Halls Ferry Rd.
Vicksburg, MS 39180
email address: Amanda.Andrews@usace.army.mil
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: Review of Statements of Interest will
begin after the SOI has been posted on the CESU website for 10 working days.