Freshwater mussels are one of most imperiled species on the planet. Nearly three-quarters of North America’s roughly 300 native mussel species are endangered, at risk, or of concern. Dozens are already extinct. Humans are the primary cause. This is damage to nature’s ‘Brita Filter.’
Nathan Rott, reporting for NPR explores what is known about the unexplained mass die-off of freshwater mussels, which like pollinators and trees, are critical to their larger ecosystems, in places like Virginia and beyond.
