Settlement success of European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) on different types of hard substrate to support reef development in offshore wind farms

Ecological Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 200, P. 107189 - 107189

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

The native European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) is an ecosystem engineer providing important services, but became nearly extinct from the North Sea due to diseases and overfishing. There's a growing interest restore these reefs for their valuable contribution in re-establishing rich Sea. In order reintroduce population, availability of hard substrate crucial initial settlement reef development. Such offered by infrastructure offshore wind farms, means quarried rock placed at base turbine foundations on top cable crossings prevent scouring seabed. Further anthropogenic disturbances seabed are largely restricted, making farm areas promising sites restoration. For successful initiation, offering suitable type larvae important. Here, we assess preference oysters 9 different types substrate, comparing total settlement, spat densities survival. Oyster based number per surface area was highest granite, conventionally used as scour protection farms. lowest observed steel biodegradable polymer BESE. experiments were performed spatting pond natural bay be able compare collection under controlled conditions. Settlement rates much higher than environment, though survival lower. Our results provide insight Knowing favorable substrates conditions allows selection pro-active measures that contribute restoration

Language: Английский

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Guardians of the seabed: Nature-inclusive design of scour protection in offshore wind farms enhances benthic diversity

Journal of Sea Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 199, P. 102502 - 102502

Published: May 6, 2024

In the past, a large part of seabed southern North Sea was covered by hard substrates, including oyster beds, coarse peat banks, and glacial erratics.Human activities, particularly bottom trawl fisheries, led to disappearance most these resulting in loss its associated diverse benthic life as well.However, introduction human-made structures such offshore wind farms Sea, offers chance provide habitat similar functionality former substrates.The farm infrastructure generally contains layers rock material deployed at base turbine foundations cable crossings, so-called scour protection, aiming prevent erosion.The protection unique for rock-dwelling organisms an otherwise mostly soft-bottom environment.By designing be more nature-inclusive, biodiversity can increased.In this study we examined effect substrate grading on epibenthic situ.This done deploying research cages containing crates (n = 15) with different types substrates (concrete, granite, marble) within Dutch Sea.The revealed significant (p < 0.05) positive relation between available surface (pebble size) taxonomic richness.Furthermore, biological trait assessment living habits (Tube dwelling, Burrowing, Free living, Crevice Epi/endobiotic, Attached) variations habit modes across types, marble concrete samples showing greatest divergence.Marble contained higher prevalence tube dwelling organisms, whereas relatively free epi/endobiotic crevice organisms.The findings support value natureinclusive designs, emphasizing that both functional diversity enhanced increasing area incorporating variety types.By adopting nature-inclusive design components, coexistence renewable energy production marine community further optimized.

Language: Английский

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Defining operational objectives for nature-inclusive marine infrastructure to achieve system-scale impact

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: June 6, 2024

The marine environment faces continuous anthropogenic pressures, including infrastructural developments at a global scale. Integration of nature-inclusive measures in the design development is increasingly encouraged, but lack coordination results fragmentation project-based measures, failing to meet desired overall effects. To realize impact system-scale, i.e. seascape dimension required achieve set objective for selected ecosystem component, overarching policies with shared targets towards effective infrastructure are needed. We present stepwise approach work operational objectives promoting components that can be species, habitats or processes, which ruling policies, environmental conditions and use aligned, agreement on achievable ambitions reached. Having clear will provide guidance project developers designing nature-inclusive, setting up relevant monitoring programs evaluate taken. demonstrate how this could applied derive context offshore windfarm North Sea, currently one most prominent changes drastically. European flat oyster Ostrea edulis has been as target species case study, its once abundant population now nearly extinct from Sea due human disturbances, there’s growing interest restore reefs. application indicates potential reef restoration area, based upon match between policy, conditions, habitat suitability within wind farms. An main stakeholders likely established would translate into actively introduce oysters reach an initial critical mass optimize settlement all future farms area suitable characteristics. Such crucial align separate initiatives promote targeted jointly become effective, ultimately best larger community using system.

Language: Английский

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Guardians of the Seabed: Nature Inclusive Design of Scour Protection in Offshore Windfarms Promotes Benthic Diversity

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

In the past, a large part of seabed southern North Sea was covered by hard substrates, including oyster beds, coarse peat banks, and glacial erratics. Human activities, particularly bottom trawl fisheries, led to disappearance most these resulting in loss its associated diverse benthic life as well. However, introduction human-made structures such offshore wind farms Sea, offers chance provide habitat similar functionality former substrates. The windfarm infrastructure generally contains layers rock material deployed at base turbine foundations cable crossings, so-called scour protection, aiming prevent erosion. protection unique for rock-dwelling organisms an otherwise mostly soft-bottom environment. By designing be more nature-inclusive, biodiversity may even further increased. this study we examined effect substrate grading on situ. This done deploying research cages containing crates with different types substrates (concrete, granite, marble) within Dutch Sea. revealed significant (p < 0.05) positive relation between available surface (pebble size) taxonomic richness. Additionally, biological trait assessment living habits differences types. findings support value nature-friendly designs, emphasizing that both functional diversity will increase incorporating various extending area. adopting nature inclusive design components, coexistence renewable energy production marine community can optimised.

Language: Английский

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