Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa) Benefits in Living Shorelines

Increased filtration of nutrients, pollutants, and dangerous bacteria. Ribbed mussels are one of the few shellfish species capable of foraging on small-sized bacteria and efficiently removing a wider range of particles and improving water quality.

Research has shown that the presence of ribbed mussel increases the growth and survival of the smooth cordgrass by providing nutrients to the plant via deposition of feces.

Help fuel primary production and the spreading of marsh plants by adding important nutrients to surrounding sediment, effectively “fertilizing” plant life.

Considered an “ecosystem engineer” species because they have the ability to build new and more complex habitats, providing more places for other coastal species to use for shelter from sunlight, heat, air, and predators.

Contribute to salt marsh resilience by forming clusters that bind tightly to plant roots and other surfaces, building and strengthening the marsh to better resist erosion and storm damage.

As mussel densities increase, they help to trap and collect particles suspended in the water column, causing the marsh to increase in elevation. This allows the marsh to adapt its vertical growth to rising sea levels and better resist erosion.

Heightened carbon sequestration and storage compared to marshes without mussels.

This species is not considered edible; therefore, they are unlikely to be poached, or illegally removed from the marsh. This allows ribbed mussel to be placed in areas closed to shellfish harvest whereas other species such as clam or oyster are not allowed to be placed.