Combined Effects of Local and Regional Drivers on Oyster Spat Density and Growth in Eastern Australia

Abstract

Up to 85% of shellfish reefs have been lost worldwide, resulting in declining ecosystem services, and increasing restoration demand. However, more information regarding the conditions which maximise oyster settlement and growth is required to optimise restoration. We deployed oyster settlement tiles at 21 intertidal sites throughout Moreton Bay, Australia; a region where > 96% of rock oyster reefs are lost and demand for restoration is high. We quantified effects of variables describing the spatial (from GIS), local habitat (using quadrats and water quality measures), and oyster predator (using underwater videography) characteristics of sites on oyster density and size on tiles. Oyster density was highest at sites with intermediate predator abundance and temperature, highest nearby invertebrate cover, and low and high values of turbidity and nearby rock and algae cover. Conversely, oyster size was highest at sites with intermediate predator density, higher fish species richness and turbidity, and lowest temperatures. Together, this showed that optimal restoration requires sites with 22 to 23 °C average water temperatures, between 10 and 15 oyster predators, and either low (< 2 NTU) or high (> 6 NTU) turbidity levels. Notably, we observed multiple peaks for several variables, suggesting the potential presence of multiple cryptic oyster species on settlement tiles. We found that oysters shared preferred environmental conditions with polychaetes, coralline algae, and tunicates, and were more prevalent and abundant at sites with lower turf algae, barnacle, and mussel cover. Identifying environmental variables influencing oyster population distribution, settlement, and growth can guide the selection and approach of oyster restoration sites.