Methods of quantifying a mass mortality event in freshwater wildlife within the river ecosystem.

This study introduces a comprehensive method for quantifying mass mortality events in freshwater wildlife, exemplified by the ecological disaster in the Odra River in 2022. Our approach integrates field observations, statistical analysis, and ecological assessment to measure the impact of such events on various aquatic species. Key steps include systematic counting of deceased organisms, assessing population declines, and evaluating the ecological repercussions of invasive species.

A dataset on quantifying a mass mortality event in freshwater wildlife within the Lower Odra River.

In response to the significant ecological disaster in the Odra River during the summer of 2022, a comprehensive data collection process was initiated to quantify the extent of mortality among aquatic species. The dataset focuses on the downstream section of the river, identified as the area with the highest accumulation of deceased organisms. The data collection involved systematic sampling and counting of dead organisms, including fish, bivalves , and aquatic snails.

Quantifying a mass mortality event in freshwater wildlife within the Lower Odra River: Insights from a large European river.

In the summer of 2022, the River Odra in Europe witnessed a significant ecological disaster, leading to an unprecedented mass mortality among fish, bivalves, and water snails. The disaster was attributed to toxins released by the haptophyte golden algae, Prymnesium parvum. This study primarily focused on the river's lower section, where the disaster's impacts were exacerbated by the downstream flow of deceased organisms.