ABSTRACT:

We provide supporting information to accompany the manuscript "Freshwater Unionid Mussels Threatened by Predation of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)," published in Scientific Reports (see citation below). In the study, we consider the propensity of Round Goby to prey upon indigenous freshwater mussel species. First, we conducted lab experiments where Round Gobies were given the opportunity to feed on juvenile unionid mussels and macroinvertebrates, revealing rates and preferences of consumption. Here, we present information about the laboratory stream table setup and results. Second, we investigated Round Gobies collected from their newly-invaded stream habitats in the French Creek watershed, using novel DNA metabarcoding methods to reveal the specific mussel species they consumed. Here, we provide datasets on the primers used for the amplification, samples included in the sequencing analysis, and metabarcoding gene sequences of 15 indigenous unionid mussel species. Further, we provide selected photos (e.g., of indigenous unionid mussels and invasive Round Goby) from the study. The sampling of aquatic life and experiments on animal subjects were carried out in accordance with standard research protocols. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

ABSTRACT:

This study presents a unique dataset from a laboratory experiment where we explored changes in the chemical composition of deionized water samples exposed to smoke. The dataset serves as the supporting information for the manuscript entitled "Smoke deposition to water surfaces drives hydrochemical changes," which was published in Hydrological Processes.

ABSTRACT:

This resource serves as the supporting data for the following publication: KH Clark, JM Wisor, SJ Mueller, C Bradshaw-Wilson, EW Boyer, and JR Stauffer, Jr. (2021). Status of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the French Creek watershed, USA at the onset of invasion by Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus. Water, 13(21), 3064; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13213064

Freshwater mussel surveys were conducted in the French Creek watershed of Pennsylvania. Data presented here -- on the contemporary locations of native mussel populations, their abundances, their host fish species, and characteristics of their habitat -- will inform strategies for the conservation of native freshwater mussel species as the invasive Round Goby continues its expansion throughout river networks. The interaction of the invasive Round Goby with indigenous fishes and mussels is shaping an ecosystem transition that has widespread implications for the conservation and management of aquatic ecosystems within the critical zone.

ABSTRACT:

The content of this resource serves as the supplementary information and data archival to accompany the open-access publication (with attribution required):

Eklöf K*, P Drohan, J Needoba, S Landfield, TD Peterson, H Hu, L Iavorivska, and EW Boyer (2021). Methylmercury in lakebed soils during re-flooding of an Appalachian reservoir in the northeastern USA. Environmental Research Communications, DOI: 10.1088/2515-7620/ac1d83

We studied soil MeHg concentrations during the re-flooding of a lake bed in the northern Appalachian mountain region of the Northeastern US that had been drained for approximately 7 years. The formation of bioavailable methyl-mercury (MeHg) can increase when oxidized soils become reduced after flooding. Supplemental data presented here include information about the lakebed study site and sampling locations -- as well as the soil characteristics, soil mercury concentrations, and soil genomic DNA extraction data.

ABSTRACT:

Studies of watershed management and critical zone processes conducted in the Ridge and Valley Province of central Pennsylvania, USA.

Locations include:
- Leading Ridge Experimental Watersheds
- Lake Perez and Stone Valley Recreation Area

Affiliated with:
- Penn State University, Forest Lands Management Office, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management (2012-present) and School of Forest Resources (1958-2012)
- National Science Foundation, Critical Zone Collaborative Network (2021-present), and Critical Zone Observatories (2007- 2020)