A REVIEW ON MOLLUSCAN DIVERSITY IN FRESHWATER HABITATS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION AND AQUATIC HEALTH

Abstract

Mollusks play a crucial role in riverine ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, sediment stabilization, and providing food sources for various wildlife. This review examines the diversity of molluscan species in riverine habitats, highlighting their ecological importance, distribution patterns, and the factors influencing their populations. Riverine environments are home to a variety of mollusks, including gastropods, bivalves, and freshwater mussels, each of which serves vital functions in ecosystem health. However, these species face increasing threats from habitat degradation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. The loss of molluscan diversity can have cascading effects on river health, impairing water quality and disrupting food webs. This review explores the implications of declining molluscan populations for conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for habitat restoration, pollution control, and effective monitoring programs. Additionally, the review discusses the use of mollusks as bioindicators for assessing the ecological status of river systems. Protecting molluscan diversity is essential not only for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems but also for supporting sustainable riverine resources. Ultimately, integrating molluscan conservation into broader environmental management plans is critical for the preservation of riverine biodiversity and ecosystem services.