Nature Conservation 2/2009 — 21. 4. 2009 — Research, Surveys and Data Management — Print article in pdf
Bečva River – the Most Important Site for the Thick Shelled River Mussel (Unio crassus) in Moravia
The Bečva River is a large tributary of the Morava River flowing from the Beskydy Mountains.
The Bečva River is a large tributary of the Morava River flowing from the Beskydy Mountains. In the main watercourse of the former river the Thick Shelled River Mussel (Unio crassus) and also other unionids occur rarely but numerous populations of the Unio crassus were found in five mill races flowing concurrently with the Bečva River main watercourse. The total number of individuals was estimated between 12,000 and 40,000 at all the five sites and it is the most numerous population of this bivalve in Moravia (eastern part of the Czech Republic, mostly the Danube River basin). Potential threats from habitat fragmentation, channel maintenance works, water level manipulation and water pollution are discussed.