Oyster reef restoration: effect of alternative substrates on oyster recruitment and nekton habitat use
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Published source details
George L.M., De S.K., Palmer T.A. & Beseres P.J. (2015) Oyster reef restoration: effect of alternative substrates on oyster recruitment and nekton habitat use. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 19, 13-22.
Published source details George L.M., De S.K., Palmer T.A. & Beseres P.J. (2015) Oyster reef restoration: effect of alternative substrates on oyster recruitment and nekton habitat use. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 19, 13-22.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Restore biogenic habitats (other methods) - Restore oyster reefs Action Link |
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Restore biogenic habitats (other methods) - Restore oyster reefs
A replicated, controlled study (year unspecified) of 10 soft seabed sites in the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, USA (George et al. 2015) found that the effect of restoring reefs of eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica on oysters and reef-associated mobile decapod invertebrates and fish depended on the material used for restoration. Average oyster spat abundance was similar on all types of restoration material used (840–1,390 spat/m2) and higher than at unrestored sediment (0 spat/m2). Average spat size was higher on concrete, river rock and oyster shell (15.5–15.8 mm) than on limestone (13.2 mm) and porcelain (11.8 mm). The community composition of combined mobile decapod invertebrates and fish was similar on all types of restoration material used (community data reported as graphical analyses). Average abundance of mobile decapod invertebrates and fish was similar on all types of restoration material used (310–550 individual/m2) and higher than on unrestored sediment (4.5 individual/m2). Diversity was higher on any restoration material than on unrestored sediment (data reported as a diversity index). Between restoration materials, diversity was higher on porcelain and oyster shell than concrete, which were all higher than on river rock and limestone. Five trays (0.75 m2) were deployed at each of 10 sites and filled with one of five types of restoration material (concrete, porcelain, limestone, river rock, oyster shell). After four months, all trays and one bare (unrestored) sediment patch were collected using a 1 m2 grab with a 1.6 mm mesh. One 0.09 m2 quadrat was deployed on each tray. Eastern oyster spat were counted in grab and quadrat samples. The shell height of up to 20 spat/tray was measured using callipers. Mobile decapod invertebrates and fish were identified and counted.
(Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson)
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