TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – More snail species have become extinct in Alabama than in any other state in the continental United States, says a University of Alabama biologist who expressed concern about likely links to deteriorating water quality.

“Whether you, personally, care about itty bitty snails and fishes or not, the fact is that their disappearing is bad news for the health of our aquatic ecosystems and ultimately, human health,” said Dr. Charles Lydeard, associate professor of biological sciences at UA. “Our sources of drinking water are the very same rivers and streams where these things live and die.”

UA’s department of biological sciences and its Center for Freshwater Studies are co-hosting a Water Quality Conference and Freshwater Snail Workshop March 15-18 at the Bryant Conference Center to explore issues surrounding biodiversity losses and water quality issues. The conference, beginning Monday at 9 a.m., is presented by the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society and is sponsored by the Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Alabama Rivers Alliance.

Nearly 40 snail species from Alabama’s Mobile River basin, alone, are presumed extinct, and an unknown number have met the same fate in the state’s Tennessee River, the UA freshwater scientist said.

“What few people seem to realize in the story of extinction of creatures they usually don't know or care much about is that they are environmental indicators – like the canary in the coal mine – and all indications are that decline in biological diversity is directly linked to a decline in water quality,” Lydeard said.

The conference has two parts, with the first two days focusing on general water quality issues and the last two days on freshwater snail, or gastropod, identification. A single registration fee covers attendance for both. Registration fees are $140 and, for students, $100. More information is available by phoning 205/348-1792 or e-mailing clydeard@bama.ua.edu.