Advances in Global Oyster Reef Restoration: Innovations and Sustainable Ecological Approaches

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(22), P. 9795 - 9795

Published: Nov. 10, 2024

Oysters have been recognized as ecological engineers for aquatic ecosystems, oyster reefs provide critical habitats and foraging locations other marine species. In the past few decades, anthropogenic activities negatively impacted reef ecosystems across globe, resulting in a significant decline their population. This review critically examines causes extent of degradation, well effectiveness restoration initiatives employed to reverse this decline. Furthermore, evaluates strategies rehabilitate reefs. Different approaches, such genetic improvement, suitable site selection, seeding enhance restorations, are reviewed paper. some advanced approaches 3D printing, shell recycling, acoustics technologies also discussed paper, which opens new doors researchers field ecology. Challenges barriers hindering successful addressed, including financial constraints, regulatory complexities, public engagement. The findings insights presented herein contribute growing body knowledge on ecology serve valuable resource policymakers, scientists, conservation practitioners seeking effective restoring these vital coastal ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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European Native Oyster Reef Ecosystems Are Universally Collapsed

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

ABSTRACT Oyster reefs are often referred to as the temperate functional equivalent of coral reefs. Yet evidence for this analogy was lacking European native species Ostrea edulis . Historical data provide a unique opportunity develop robust definition ecosystem type, confirm that O. large‐scale biogenic reef builders, and assess its current conservation status. Today, occur scattered individuals or, rarely, dense clumps over few m 2 historically, ecosystems persisted at large scales (several km ), with individual within present scale several hectares. Using IUCN Red List Ecosystems Framework, we conclude oyster type is collapsed under three five criteria (A: reduction in geographic distribution, B: restricted range, D: disruption biotic processes interactions). Criterion C (environmental degradation) deficient, E (quantitative risk analysis) not completed already deemed collapsed. Our assessment has important implications policy action, highlighting habitat definitions on which policies currently based reflect highly shifted baseline, restoration efforts falls far short what necessary recovery.

Language: Английский

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Determining physiological responses of mussels (Mytilus edulis) to hypoxia by combining multiple sensor techniques

Conservation Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Intertidal bivalves survive longer without oxygen when aerially exposed during low tide than submerged in hypoxic water. To understand this, we combined three biosensors to continuously monitor responses of individual blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) aerial exposure simulated low-tide conditions and aqueous hypoxia. A valve sensor, heart rate monitor, an in-shell microsensor simultaneously recorded behavioural physiological responses. During exposure, which often occurs the intertidal, all individuals immediately closed their valves, rapidly depleted oxygen, decreased rate. This suggested a shift anaerobic metabolism reduced activity as mechanisms save energy anoxia 'low-tide' conditions. At onset (<1 mg O2/L) water, however, fully opened with 75% increasing for at least 1 hour (the duration our measurements), possibly attempt collect more by filtration activity. Only 25% valves after about 40 minutes hypoxia, shifting efficient strategy used exposure. As most remained open mussel does not appear need close its begin transition metabolism. Interindividual variation was much lower air compared hypoxia either steadily declined or became highly erratic. Differences expenditure these different types exposures likely explains why mussels, from population studied, can situation that could occur under situations elevated temperature waters high nutrient loads.

Language: Английский

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Come, tell me how you live: Habitat suitability analysis for Ostrea edulis restoration

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(7), P. 678 - 695

Published: March 8, 2023

Abstract Against the background of UN decade on ecosystem restoration and new EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, in context marine spatial planning complex maritime user conflicts, reliable information habitat suitability large‐scale is an important prerequisite implementing conservation management supporting successful, sustainable, ecologically efficient measures. In this study, was assessed using multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) European oyster, Ostrea edulis , protected areas (MPAs) German Bight North Sea: Borkum Reef Ground ( Riffgrund BRG) Sylt Outer – Eastern Sylter Außenriff SAR). Based site selection criteria, exclusion factors MCDA were defined. Results integrated with available geodata to produce maps oyster area interest. Suitable as well unsuitable habitats have been successfully identified both MPAs: several hundred square kilometres (≥97.2% or thousand (≥74.5% SAR) classified logistically suitable measures respective MPAs. As significantly limited by human activities (e.g. bottom trawl fisheries), fisheries successful show that designated fishery will increase possibilities restoration. BRG, our results correspond known historical distribution. SAR, exceed historically The facilitate decision‐making regarding ocean use, reduce costs through targeted high expand species recovery improving survival reintroduced individuals. procedure easily adaptable application other areas, species, projects, settings. software applied open source calculation described detail inform wider applications.

Language: Английский

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Historical dataset details the distribution, extent and form of lost Ostrea edulis reef ecosystems

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Nov. 5, 2024

Ocean ecosystems have been subjected to anthropogenic influences for centuries, but the scale of past ecosystem changes is often unknown. For European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), an engineer providing biogenic reef habitats, was a culturally and economically significant source food trade. These habitats are now functionally extinct, almost no memory where or at what scales this once existed, its form, remains. The described datasets present qualitative quantitative extracts from written records published between 1524 2022. show: (1) locations fisheries and/or habitat across biogeographical range, with associated levels confidence; (2) reported extent and; (3) species these habitats. will be use inform accelerating restoration activities, establish reference models anchoring adaptive management action, in contributing global efforts recover on hidden history anthropogenic-driven ocean degradation.

Language: Английский

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Oyster reefs' control of carbonate chemistry—Implications for oyster reef restoration in estuaries subject to coastal ocean acidification

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(23), P. 6572 - 6590

Published: Sept. 30, 2023

Globally, oyster reef restoration is one of the most widely applied coastal interventions. While reefs are focal points processes tightly linked to carbonate system such as shell formation and respiration, how these alter chemistry relative surrounding seawater unclear. Moreover, systems increasingly impacted by acidification, which may affect chemistry. Here, we characterized growth multiple constructed well summer variations in pH reef-influenced (in middle reefs) ambient (at locations ~50 m outside determine was altered community and, turn, impacts resident oysters. High frequency monitoring across three subtidal revealed reductions daily mean minimum (by 0.05-0.07 0.07-0.12 units, respectively) overlying (p < .0001). The proportion measurements below 7.5, a threshold shown negatively impact post-larval oysters, were 1.8×-5.2× higher seawater. Most samples (83%) reduced total alkalinity samples, suggesting calcification key driver modified net metabolic influence resulted CaCO3 saturation state 78% discrete juvenile oysters placed on exhibited slower .05) compared reefs. differences survival not detected, benefit from enhanced or recruitment at cost slowed rates. Nevertheless, restored communities ways that likely increased vulnerability dynamics warrant consideration when determining site suitability for restoration, particularly under continued climate change.

Language: Английский

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Northern Europe’s suitability for offshore European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) habitat restoration based on population dynamics

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Sept. 7, 2023

Introduction European and member state legislation encourage the sustainable development of offshore environments, with restoration or creation flat oyster ( Ostrea edulis ) habitats offering potential solutions to enhance biodiversity provide ecosystem services. The site selection identification suitable for habitat projects remains a significant knowledge gap. Methods By combining seabed substrate information coupled population (Dynamic Energy Budget - Individual-Based Models) particle tracking model (for larvae dispersal), critical insights can be gained into spatial distribution suitability indicators such as growth, fitness, reproduction, self-recruitment. applying this English Channel North Sea over ten-year period, locations restoration, restorative aquaculture, oyster-related nature-inclusive designs identified. Comparing historical bed outputs offers why these were allows validation proposed approach. Results discussion Coastal nearshore environments are generally more populations will grow quickly in areas. Offshore presents challenges if it relies solely on Besides purposes, used evaluate effect management strategies (e.g., initial size) environmental pressures climate change, pollution) restorations success.

Language: Английский

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The Influencing Factors Analysis of Aquaculture Mechanization Development in Liaoning, China

AgriEngineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 34 - 51

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

Promoting the mechanization of aquaculture is one most important supporting measures to ensure high-quality development industry in China. In order solve problems predominantly manual work and decrease costs aquaculture, influencing factors China’s were systematically analyzed. The triple bottom theory was selected, three aspects identified, including environmental, economic, social aspects. Through literature review, Delphi method, analytic hierarchy process, comprehensive evaluation indicator system, 18 factors, proposed. Moreover, fuzzy method combined with model results. A case study Liaoning Province offered and, according analysis results, economic aspect at first level critical factor; financial subsidy for purchase machinery, energy consumption machinery equipment, promotion use technology had greatest impact on effective implementation paths countermeasures proposed, such as mechanized equipment enhancement subsidies, provide an decision-making basis improvement mechanization.

Language: Английский

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Challenges in Restoring Mediterranean Seagrass Ecosystems in the Anthropocene

Environments, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(5), P. 86 - 86

Published: April 23, 2024

The intense human pressures in the Anthropocene epoch are causing an alarming decline marine coastal ecosystems and unprecedented loss of biodiversity. This situation underscores urgency making ecological restoration a global priority to recover degraded ecosystems. Meadows endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica have lost more than half their original extent last century, necessitating immediate conservation management measures, supported by active interventions. paper explores new opportunities provides specific recommendations enhance as fundamental strategy for reversing P. Sea. When return historical pristine reference condition may not be feasible short term or desirable given current environmental conditions uncertainty, transplanting tolerant fast-growing species Cymodocea nodosa could facilitate natural recolonization. would occur through secondary succession, benefiting sensitive slow-growing oceanica. Future local efforts should primarily focus on proactive prevent further alterations planning appropriate measures timely manner mitigate reverse changes. As step, programs can implemented with ‘target-oriented’ rather ‘reference-oriented’ conditions, aiming establish capable sustaining future replicating environment.

Language: Английский

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Genome‐Wide Population Structure in a Marine Keystone Species, the European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis)

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 12, 2024

ABSTRACT Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster, was once a widespread economically and ecologically important marine species, but has suffered dramatic declines over past two centuries. Consequently, there been surge in restoration efforts, many of which focus on restocking as conservation measure. In this study, we used whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) data to investigate population structure, demographic history, patterns local adaptation O. edulis across its natural distribution with increased sampling densities at Scandinavian localities. Results revealed seven distinct genetic clusters, including previously undescribed complex structure Norway, evidence for introgression between clusters Scandinavia. We detected large structural variants (SVs) three pseudo‐chromosomes. These megabase long regions were characterised by strong linkage disequilibrium clear geographical differentiation, suggestive chromosomal inversions potentially associated adaptation. The results indicated that genomic traces translocations non‐native still present some individuals, overall, found limited major impacts scale contemporary structure. Our findings highlight importance considering signatures selection design effective strategies preserve restore wild native oyster populations, provide direct knowledge safeguarding sustainable mitigation actions species.

Language: Английский

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