Virginia Tech® home

Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity - Freshwater Snail Biodiversity and Conservation

ID

420-530 (CNRE-76P)

Authors as Published

Paul D. Johnson, Research scientist, Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute, Cohutta, Ga.

This publication is available in an enhanced digital version and PDF.

More than 700 different species of snails are distributed across the streams, rivers, and lakes of North America. Freshwater snails are important components of aquatic ecosystems, and many species are excellent water-quality indicators. Approximately three-fourths of these freshwater snail species are threatened, endangered, or of conservation concern or are already thought to be extinct. This publication describes snail biology, ecology, and biodiversity and discusses the importance of aquatic conservation efforts.


Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law

Publication Date

November 5, 2019