No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
Ecodynamic solutions for the protection of intertidal habitats: the use of oyster reefs
... With funding from the County and access to recycled oyster shell, Brevard Zoo tested steel wire mesh boxes or "rigid gabions" filled with oyster shell for shallow, subtidal reefs and wavebreaks (Figure 4). Similar rigid gabion designs have been used to restore oyster reefs in St. Augustine, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Netherlands [59][60][61]. The Zoo constructed their gabions from 14-gauge galvanizedafter-welding (GAW) steel wire mesh, galvanized steel hog rings, and recycled oyster shell. ...
Oyster and shoreline restoration is occurring around the globe to recover lost ecosystem services. In the state of Florida, USA, dozens of estuarine habitat restoration projects are underway. These projects have traditionally relied on both natural and man-made materials, including plastics. As the impacts of plastics on marine ecosystems are better understood, practitioners are increasingly focused on plastic-free restoration. To better understand this transition, we surveyed Florida restoration practitioners in April 2021 to capture current non-plastic restoration project trends and their status. Our descriptive survey goals were to understand: (1) what non-plastic materials have been tested, (2) trade-offs between plastic and non-plastic materials (e.g., cost, sourcing, volunteer engagement), and (3) the performance of non-plastic materials. Responses indicated that a variety of non-plastic materials are currently being used, including rock, cement-infused jute structures, cement Reef Balls™ (Reef Ball Foundation, USA), BESE-elements®, and metal gabions. Overall, these materials are more expensive and equally or more difficult to install than previously popular plastic-based materials. No “best” non-plastic material emerged from our survey in part because many novel materials have been deployed for under three years. Long-term performance under a variety of abiotic and biotic conditions is thus a future research priority.
... Oyster reefs form persistent, three-dimensional structures which can attenuate waves 27,42 , trap sediment 7,9,43,44 , and are resilient growing with sea level rise 22,23 . Moreover, it provides additional ecosystem services, such as habitat for fish and resident invertebrates [28][29][30]45,46 , improve water quality and enhance primary production 24,47,48 . ...
Oyster reefs have the potential as eco-engineers to improve coastal protection. A field experiment was undertaken to assess the benefit of oyster breakwater reefs to mitigate shoreline erosion in a monsoon-dominated subtropical system. Three breakwater reefs with recruited oysters were deployed on an eroding intertidal mudflat at Kutubdia Island, the southeast Bangladesh coast. Data were collected on wave dissipation by the reef structures, changes in shoreline profile, erosion-accretion patterns, and lateral saltmarsh movement and related growth. This was done over four seasons, including the rainy monsoon period. The observed wave heights in the study area ranged 0.1-0.5 m. The reefs were able to dissipate wave energy and act as breakwaters for tidal water levels between 0.5-1.0 m. Waves were totally blocked by the vertical relief of the reefs at water levels <0.5 m. On the lee side of the reefs, there was accretion of 29 cm clayey sediments with erosion reduction of 54% as compared to control sites. The changes caused by the deployed reefs also facilitated seaward expansion of the salt marsh. This study showed that breakwater oyster reefs can reduce erosion, trap suspended sediment, and support seaward saltmarsh expansion demonstrating the potential as a nature-based solution for protecting the subtropical coastlines. Coastal habitats play a critical role in coastal adaptation strategies as they can reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to natural hazards like flooding, eroding shorelines and sea level rise 1-4. These habitats include coral reefs 5 , reef-forming bivalves 6-9 , dense vegetation of kelps and seagrasses 10,11 , salt marsh vegetation 12-14 and mangroves 15-18. They have the capacity to reduce flow and dampen wave energy through their physical structures and by doing so, they trap and stabilize sediments, allowing to keep pace with sea-level rise by natural accretion and growth 13,19-23. Moreover, they offer additional ecosystem services including: (1) water quality regulation 24,25 ; (2) ecosystem succession 26,27 ; and (3) fisheries production 28-30. The use/design of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with related natural habitats for the benefit of both is called ecological engineering 31-33. It provides opportunities to combine engineering principles with ecological processes to reduce environmental impacts of man-made infrastructure 34. The coastline of Bangladesh has changed rapidly over the last few decades 35,36. Until 2015, a total of 1,576 km 2 area was lost due to shoreline erosion at an annual rate of 6.3 km 2 in 1985-1995 and 11.4 km 2 in 2005-2015, respectively 35. Shoreline erosion is increasingly threatening coastal communities and their livelihoods 37 , forcing thousands of people to migrate to the mainland 38. This is particularly severe in offshore (island) areas, such as in the islands of Kutubdia and Sandwip that are frequently impacted by storm surges, increasing astronomical tides and erosive waves associated with southwest monsoon winds 35. Mangroves, salt marshes and oyster reefs, which form part of the biotic environment of the coastal ecosystems in Bangladesh have the ability to provide coastal protection through trapping sediments and promoting accretion.
... Both their reef structures and suspension-feeding behaviour exert large ecosystem influences [4]. Conservation and a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 restoration of reef-forming oyster is therefore important to maintain ecosystem health and provide multiple ecosystem services including: (1) shoreline stabilization [5,6,7,8]; (2) water quality regulation [9,10,11]; (3) ecosystem succession [12]; and (4) fisheries production [13,14,15,16]. This implies also a sustainable management of these aquatic resources. ...
There is growing interest to restore oyster populations and develop oyster reefs for their role in ecosystem health and delivery of ecosystem services. Successful and sustainable oyster restoration efforts largely depend on the availability and selection of suitable sites that can support long-term growth and survival of oysters. Hence, in the present study a habitat suitability index (HSI) model was developed for the intertidal rock oyster (Saccostrea cucullata), with special attention: (1) to the role of the monsoon in the suitability of oyster habitats, and (2) to identify potential suitable sites along the south-eastern Bangladesh coast. Seven habitat factors were used as input variables for the HSI model: (1) water temperature; (2) salinity; (3) dissolved oxygen; (4) particulate inorganic matter (PIM); (5) pH; (6) Chlorophyll-a; and (7) water flow velocity. Seven field surveys were conducted at 80 locations to collect geo-spatial environmental data, which were then used to determine HSI scores using habitat suitability functions. The model results showed that the areas suitable (HSI >0.50) for oyster settlement and growth were characterized by relatively high salinities, Chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen and pH values. In contrast, freshwater dominated estuaries and nearby coastal areas with high suspended sediment were found less suitable (HSI <0.50) for oysters. HSI model results were validated with observed oyster distribution data. There was strong correlation between the HSI calculated by the model and observed oyster densities (r = 0.87; n = 53), shell height (r = 0.95; n = 53) and their condition index (r = 0.98; n = 53). The good correspondence with field data enhances the applicability of the HSI model as a quantitative tool for evaluating the quality of a site for oyster restoration and culture.
... Oyster reefs form persistent, three-dimensional structures which can attenuate waves 27,42 , trap sediment 7,9,43,44 , and are resilient growing with sea level rise 22,23 . Moreover, it provides additional ecosystem services, such as habitat for fish and resident invertebrates [28][29][30]45,46 , improve water quality and enhance primary production 24,47,48 . ...
Oyster reefs have the potential as eco-engineers to improve coastal protection. A field experiment was undertaken to assess the benefit of oyster breakwater reefs to mitigate shoreline erosion in a monsoon-dominated subtropical system. Three breakwater reefs with recruited oysters were deployed on an eroding intertidal mudflat at Kutubdia Island, the southeast Bangladesh coast. Data were collected on wave dissipation by the reef structures, changes in shoreline profile, erosion-accretion patterns, and lateral saltmarsh movement and related growth. This was done over four seasons, including the rainy monsoon period. The observed wave heights in the study area ranged 0.1–0.5 m. The reefs were able to dissipate wave energy and act as breakwaters for tidal water levels between 0.5–1.0 m. Waves were totally blocked by the vertical relief of the reefs at water levels <0.5 m. On the lee side of the reefs, there was accretion of 29 cm clayey sediments with erosion reduction of 54% as compared to control sites. The changes caused by the deployed reefs also facilitated seaward expansion of the salt marsh. This study showed that breakwater oyster reefs can reduce erosion, trap suspended sediment, and support seaward saltmarsh expansion demonstrating the potential as a nature-based solution for protecting the subtropical coastlines.
... They are also ecosystem engineers that create, maintain and modify the biotic and abiotic environment of the habitats in which they live (Jones et al., 1994). Oyster reefs can mitigate coastal erosion by attenuating waves and accumulating sediments (e.g., de Paiva et al., 2018;Walles et al., 2015;Ysebaert et al., 2012) while simultaneously providing essential habitat for numerous fish and resident invertebrates (Coen et al., 1999;Grabowski et al., 2005;Peterson et al., 2003;Tolley and Volety, 2005). Oysters also serve as valuable commercial resource that sustains traditional fisheries in many parts of the world. ...
A Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model for the intertidal rock oyster (Saccostrea cucullata) is presented and applied for three different sites (Sonadia, Kutubdia and Inani) located in the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh, covering a distinct environmental gradient. At the three sites, field observations of oyster growth, temperature, total particulate matter (TPM) and food availability (Chlorophyll-a and Particulate Organic Matter-POM) were carried out during a period from September 2014 to August 2017. DEB model simulations produced temporal, as well as spatial variation in oyster growth as a function of the prevailing environmental conditions. Growth rates of oysters were highest (shell increment: 3 cm yr ⁻¹ ) at Sonadia Island due to the high food concentrations. Growth rates were relatively low (shell increment: 1.94 cm yr ⁻¹ ) at Kutubdia and none of oysters survived in Inani during the monsoon period. At this site TPM concentrations were quite high (889 ± 101 mg l ⁻¹ ), but Chlorophyll-a was quite low (1.86 ± 0.16 μg l ⁻¹ ) during monsoon period. Temporal variation is largely monsoon driven. The period between November to May was the main growing season for oysters along the Bangladesh coast. In contrast, growth slowed down significantly during the monsoon months (June–September). DEB model simulations for S. cucullata showed good fit (Goodness of fit score > 8.54 out of 10 and low mean relative error, MRE <0.18) with observed growth data for all three locations throughout the seasons. Therefore, the model can be used to evaluate potential sites for oyster development either for aquaculture, restoration or coastal protection to enhance coastal resilience.
... Of particular value is that oyster reefs may provide a long-term sustainable solution as they can be self-sustaining, and can produce a crystallizing cement of calcium carbonate (Harper, 1997), which allows individual oysters to bond together and build biogenic carbonate reefs in estuaries (Rodriquez et al., 2014; Waldbusser, Steenson & Green, 2011; Walles et al., 2015a; Walles et al., 2015b). Despite these hypothesized benefits of fringing oyster reefs, evidence for their impacts on reducing shoreline erosion remain equivocal based on the ultimate metric of changes in marsh edge retreat (i.e., Ysebaert et al., 2012; Scyphers et al., 2011; Piazza, Banks & La Peyre, 2005). Success of these projects, similar to most biologically based restoration projects, is critically dependent on appropriate site selection (Beseres Pollack et al., 2012; Coen & Luckenbach, 2000). ...
Oyster reefs provide valuable ecosystem services that contribute to coastal resilience. Unfortunately, many reefs have been degraded or removed completely, and there are increased efforts to restore oysters in many coastal areas. In particular, much attention has recently been given to the restoration of shellfish reefs along eroding shorelines to reduce erosion. Such fringing reef approaches, however, often lack empirical data to identify locations where reefs are most effective in reducing marsh erosion, or fully take into account habitat suitability. Using monitoring data from 5 separate fringing reef projects across coastal Louisiana, we quantify shoreline exposure (fetch + wind direction + wind speed) and reef impacts on shoreline retreat. Our results indicate that fringing oyster reefs have a higher impact on shoreline retreat at higher exposure shorelines. At higher exposures, fringing reefs reduced marsh edge erosion an average of 1.0 m y
−1
. Using these data, we identify ranges of shoreline exposure values where oyster reefs are most effective at reducing marsh edge erosion and apply this knowledge to a case study within one Louisiana estuary. In Breton Sound estuary, we calculate shoreline exposure at 500 random points and then overlay a habitat suitability index for oysters. This method and the resulting visualization show areas most likely to support sustainable oyster populations as well as significantly reduce shoreline erosion. Our results demonstrate how site selection criteria, which include shoreline exposure and habitat suitability, are critical to ensuring greater positive impacts and longevity of oyster reef restoration projects.
... Recently, the use of oyster reefs for coastal protection, and more specifically for mitigating erosion of tidal flats, has been studied in the Oosterschelde estuary (Ysebaert et al., 2012), see also www.ecoshape.nl. The Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, has been used for the same purpose along the Atlantic coast of the USA (Piazza et al., 2005;Scyphers et al., 2011). ...
In het afgelopen decennium is er een verschuiving gaande naar een meer ecosysteem gebaseerde kustverdediging met integratie van natuurlijke verdedigingsstructuren zoals duinen, mangroves, schorren, zeegras bedden, schelpdier- en koraalriffen. Deze soorten staan bekend als biobouwers. Het toepassen van natuurlijke verdedigingsstructuren vereist kennis over: waar deze habitats erosie verminderen en bescherming bieden; evenals ecologische gegevens, zoals soortafhankelijke habitatseisen, levenscyclus, populatiedynamiek en lange-termijn persistentie. Dit laatste kan gebruikt worden om plaatsen te identificeren waar habitats succesvol geïmplementeerd kunnen worden. Intergetijdengebieden en oesterriffen zijn bestudeerd in de Oosterschelde, welke dient als modelsysteem. In dit systeem eroderen getijdengebieden in een rap tempo als gevolg van significante wijzigingen aan het Oosterschelde bekken door de Deltawerken
... Recently, the use of oyster reefs for coastal protection, and more specifically for mitigating erosion of tidal flats, has been studied in the Oosterschelde estuary (Ysebaert et al., 2012), see also www.ecoshape.nl. The Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, has been used for the same purpose along the Atlantic coast of the USA (Piazza et al., 2005;Scyphers et al., 2011). ...
Ecosystem engineers that inhabit coastal and estuarine environments, such as reef building oysters, do not only stabilise the sediment within their reefs, but their influence might also extend far outside their reefs, affecting tidal flat morphology and protecting the surrounding soft-sediment environment against erosion. However, quantitative information is largely missing, and the spatially extended ecosystem engineering effects on the surrounding soft-sediment largely unstudied. To quantify this, we measured elevations around eleven natural Crassostrea gigas reefs occurring on tidal flats in the Oosterschelde estuary (the Netherlands). These tidal flats experience strong erosion as a consequence of human interventions in the system. Various reef sizes were chosen to test the proportional effects of reefs on tidal flat morphology. Measurements were used to create 3-dimensional surface maps to obtain properties of the reefs and the surrounding soft-sediment environment. The area of the oyster reefs ranged from 2 to 1,908 m2. Reef length varied between 1 and 61 m, reef width between 1 and 45 m, and reef height between 0.20 and 1.08 m. Reefs varied in shape, going from round shape structures to more elongated ones. We observed elevated areas (>5 cm elevation from the background intertidal slope) on the lee side of all reefs, caused by the interaction between the reef’s structure and locally prevailing wave conditions. The elevated area (i.e. the spatially extended ecosystem engineering effect) affected by the reef was of the same order of magnitude as the reef area. The elevated area was related to reef properties such as reef length, width, and height. Reef length, however, appeared to be the best predictor. These findings contribute to management solutions for coastal adaptation and protection. Our study clearly showed that oyster reefs not only protect the tidal flat under their footprint, but as well an area beyond the boundary of the reef.
... Recently, the use of oyster reefs for coastal protection, and more specifically for mitigating erosion of tidal flats, has been studied in the Oosterschelde estuary (Ysebaert et al., 2012), see also www.ecoshape.nl. The Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, has been used for the same purpose along the Atlantic coast of the USA (Piazza et al., 2005;Scyphers et al., 2011). ...
Marine species characterized as structure building, autogenic ecosystem engineers are recognized worldwide as potential tools for coastal adaptation efforts in the face of sea level rise. Successful employment of ecosystem engineers in coastal protection largely depends on long-term persistence of their structure, which is in turn dependent on the population dynamics of the individual species. Oysters, such as the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), are recognized as ecosystem engineers with potential for use in coastal protection. Persistence of oyster reefs is strongly determined by recruitment and shell production (growth), processes facilitated by gregarious settlement on extant shell substrate. Although the Pacific oyster has been introduced world-wide, and has formed dense reefs in the receiving coastal waters, the population biology of live oysters and the quantitative mechanisms maintaining these reefs has rarely been studied, hence the aim of the present work. This study had two objectives: (1) to describe the demographics of extant Crassostrea gigas reefs, and (2) to estimate vertical reef accretion rates and carbonate production in these oyster reefs. Three long-living oyster reefs (>30 years old), which have not been exploited since their first occurrence, were examined in the Oosterschelde estuary in the Netherlands. A positive reef accretion rate (7.0-16.9 mm year-1 shell material) was observed, consistent with self-maintenance and persistent structure. We provide a framework to predict reef accretion and population persistence under varying recruitment, growth and mortality scenarios.
... Since oyster shells are the perfect substrate to settle on for juvenile oysters (spat), gabions (iron wire cages) filled with oyster shells (Fig. 15) were placed on the shoal edges at various locations, first in small patches, later on in larger strips (typically 10 m wide and a few hundreds of metres long). After a few years (Fig. 16) we can conclude that this approach can work, provided that the locations of the gabions be carefully selected (Ysebaert et al., 2012). Fig. 14. ...
Hydraulic engineering infrastructures are of concern to many people and are likely to interfere with the environment. Moreover, they are supposed to keep on functioning for many years. In times of rapid societal and environmental change this implies that sustainability and adaptability are important attributes. These are central to Building with Nature (BwN), an innovative approach to hydraulic engineering infrastructure development and operation. Starting from the natural system and making use of nature's ecosystem services, BwN attempts to meet society's needs for infrastructural functionality, and to create room for nature development at the same time. By including natural components in infrastructure designs, flexibility, adaptability to changing environmental conditions and extra functionalities and ecosystem services can be achieved, often at lower costs on a life-cycle basis than `traditional' engineering solutions. The paper shows by a number of examples that this requires a different way of thinking, acting and interacting.
... After a first trial, it is planned to regularly use dredge spoil dumped onto the tidal flats as nourishment [28]. Softer defense measures include artificially constructed oyster banks [59] and saltmarsh restoration [60]. The emphasis placed on these measures is related to the conservation goals, as legally fixed e.g., in Natura2000 objectives. ...
Human infrastructures can modify ecosystems, thereby affecting the occurrence and spatial distribution of organisms, as well as ecosystem functionality. Sustainable development requires the ability to predict responses of species to anthropogenic pressures. We investigated the large scale, long term effect of important human alterations of benthic habitats with an integrated approach combining engineering and ecological modelling. We focused our analysis on the Oosterschelde basin (The Netherlands), which was partially embanked by a storm surge barrier (Oosterscheldekering, 1986). We made use of 1) a prognostic (numerical) environmental (hydrodynamic) model and 2) a novel application of quantile regression to Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) to simulate both the realized and potential (habitat suitability) abundance of four macrozoobenthic species: Scoloplos armiger, Peringia ulvae, Cerastoderma edule and Lanice conchilega. The analysis shows that part of the fluctuations in macrozoobenthic biomass stocks during the last decades is related to the effect of the coastal defense infrastructures on the basin morphology and hydrodynamics. The methodological framework we propose is particularly suitable for the analysis of large abundance datasets combined with high-resolution environmental data. Our analysis provides useful information on future changes in ecosystem functionality induced by human activities.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.