Tahoe’s clam colonies may not be blooming
By Jeff Delong, Reno Gazette-Journal
When it comes to invading clams, Lake Tahoe might not be a very good place to make babies.
That’s the encouraging conclusion of new research by scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno who found that cold temperatures and lack of food combine to discourage reproduction of Asian clams in the lake.
“This could be good news. It really could be,” said Sudeep Chandra, a UNR researcher specializing in freshwater science.
“The fact is Lake Tahoe has a few things going for it when it comes to this invasive species spreading around,” Chandra said.
Diminished ability to reproduce could mean that efforts to manage clam populations — including killing them by covering clam beds with rubber mats — have a better chance at long-term success, Chandra said.
“The question is at what rate do they grow? If they are outgrowing what you manage, the problem will keep coming back,” Chandra said.
