Mollusks are among the most diverse and abundant animal groups, inhabiting many aquatic and terrestrial environments. They are important ecosystem engineers, helping to structure aquatic bottom environments and providing habitat, protection, and food to a wide array of other taxa.

Why are mollusks economically important?

Mollusks are economically important as food, and their shells are widely used in jewelry and decorative items. Representative mollusks. Bivalves have a shell with two halves. Filter feeders, they take in food and water through a tubular siphon.

How do bivalves benefit humans?

Historically, human use includes food, tools, currency, and ornamentation. Bivalves provide direct benefits to modern cultures as food, building materials, and jewelry and provide indirect benefits by stabilizing shorelines and mitigating nutrient pollution.