Large freshwater mussels are excellent indicators of water quality. Not only do they filter and purify the water, but mussel beds on the bottoms also provide structure and shelter for many other organisms, contributing to increased biodiversity. Our research aims to study the ecology of large freshwater mussels and utilise them as indicators for environmental and conservation efforts in lakes and waterways.

Within the project, we have conducted a range of studies. These include surveys of mussel populations and their regeneration levels, examinations of how mussels distribute themselves on the riverbed and the implications for surveys, assessments of how hydropower and migration barriers affect mussels, and evaluations of how biodiversity in the Göta River should be prioritised.

We have also investigated the impact of hydropower and migration barriers on mussel populations in waterways by studying how artificial dams and other migration obstacles influence the ability of large mussels to reproduce.