Horse mussel reef ecosystem services: evidence for a whelk nursery habitat supporting a shellfishery

Kent, Flora; Gray, Mark J.; Sanderson, William

doi:10.1080/21513732.2016.1188330

Cited by 21 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Though there is substantial evidence that bivalve habitats often support a greater abundance of associated species than nearby unstructured habitats (Supporting Information Table S2), the contribution of this to the provision of other fisheries species was quantified in only one case study. M. modiolus beds were found to have three times higher densities of whelk, Buccinum undatum , 20 times higher densities of queen scallop, Aequipecten opercularis , and four times higher densities of spider crab, Maja brachydactyla , than on non‐mussel sites (Kent et al, 2017; Kent, Gray, Last, & Sanderson, 2016). Five of the 11 species examined yielded no studies examining the associated communities (Table 2).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The benefits of bivalve reef restoration: A global synthesis of underrepresented species

Ermgassen

Thurstan

Corrales

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

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Bivalve habitat restoration is growing in geographic extent and scale globally. While addressing the wide‐scale loss of these biogenic habitats is still a key motivation behind restoration efforts, stakeholders and funders are increasingly drawn to shellfish restoration for the many ecosystem services these habitats provide. There is clear evidence for the provision of ecosystem services from species targeted for restoration in the USA, in particular Crassostrea virginica. Ecosystem services, however, remain largely unquantified or even undescribed for the majority of other species targeted for restoration. A structured review of the literature was undertaken and supplemented by expert knowledge to identify which ecosystem services are documented in the following other bivalve species targeted for restoration: Ostrea edulis, Ostrea angasi, Crassostrea rhizophorae, Perna canaliculus, Modiolus modiolus, Mytilus edulis, Mytilus platensis, Crassostrea gigas, Ostrea denselamellosa, Crassostrea ariakensis, and Crassostrea sikamea. Key knowledge gaps in quantifying ecosystem services and the ecosystem engineering properties of habitat‐building bivalves contributing to the provision of ecosystem services were identified. Ecosystem services with the potential to be widely applicable across bivalve habitat‐building species were identified. Though there is evidence that many of the ecosystem engineering properties that underpin the provision of ecosystem services are universal, the degree to which services are provided will vary between locations and species. Species‐specific, in situ, studies are needed in order to avoid the inappropriate transfer of the ecosystem service delivery between locations, and to further build support and understanding for these emerging targets of restoration.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The benefits of bivalve reef restoration: A global synthesis of underrepresented species

Ermgassen

Thurstan

Corrales

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

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“…Clumped mussel habitat can also be beneficial for smaller predators which may hide therein (Thiel and Dernedde 1994 ), highlighting the importance of considering the ontogenetic and behavioural responses of predators (Pirtle et al 2012 ). It is known, for example, that mussel reefs are nursery grounds for whelks (Kent et al 2016 ) and crabs (Lindsey et al 2006 ) and the size of small predators used in this experiment may spend more time sheltering from larger predators in refuge space afforded by a reef than actively feeding. This should be tested empirically.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…rainforests, saltmarshes, and aquatic biogenic reefs, are under threat from anthropogenic disturbances (Ellison et al 2005 ; Airoldi et al 2008 ; Silliman et al 2009 ; Newbold et al 2014 ; Firth et al 2015 ). Biogenic reefs formed by bivalves play an essential role as ecosystem engineers (Geraldi et al 2017 ) by: (i) promoting higher levels of biodiversity than surrounding local environments (Gutierrez et al 2003 ; O’Connor and Crowe 2007 ); (ii) providing habitat that acts as a nursery for commercially important species (Kent et al 2016 , 2017 ); (iii) stabilising sediments (Meadows et al 1998 ); (iv) acting as natural wave barriers and protecting soft coastal habitat (Stone et al 2005 ); and (v) contributing substantially to nutrient cycling (Kellogg et al 2013 ). The loss of such biogenic habitat following disturbance events can lead to changes in many biotic interactions, which can impede the recovery of a system following further disturbances (Lotze et al 2006 ; Bertness et al 2015 ; Mrowicki et al 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat with small inter-structural spaces promotes mussel survival and reef generation

2018

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Spatially complex habitats provide refuge for prey and mediate many predator–prey interactions. Increasing anthropogenic pressures are eroding such habitats, reducing their complexity and potentially altering ecosystem stability on a global scale. Yet, we have only a rudimentary understanding of how structurally complex habitats create ecological refuges for most ecosystems. Better informed management decisions require an understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the provision of physical refuge and this may be linked to prey size, predator size and predator identity in priority habitats. We tested each of these factors empirically in a model biogenic reef system. Specifically, we tested whether mortality rates of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) of different sizes differed among: (i) different forms of reef structural distribution (represented as ‘clumped’, ‘patchy’ and ‘sparse’); (ii) predator species identity (shore crab, Carcinus maenas and starfish, Asterias rubens); and (iii) predator size. The survival rate of small mussels was greatest in the clumped experimental habitat and larger predators generally consumed more prey regardless of the structural organisation of treatment. Small mussels were protected from larger A. rubens but not from larger C. maenas in the clumped habitats. The distribution pattern of structural objects, therefore, may be considered a useful proxy for reef complexity when assessing predator–prey interactions, and optimal organisations should be considered based on both prey and predator sizes. These findings are essential to understand ecological processes underpinning predation rates in structurally complex habitats and to inform future restoration and ecological engineering practices.

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“…Quantitative data on the degree to which fish and macroinvertebrates are enhanced by bivalve habitats are rare outside of the United States. While there has been recent progress in understanding the role of Modiolus modiolus in Europe as an important habitat for the commercially important whelk Buccinum undatum (Kent et al 2016(Kent et al , 2017, for most bivalve habitats outside of the U.S. evidence is limited to historical documentation of species counts (e.g. Moebius 1883; Riesen and Reise 1982).…”

Section: Current Status Of Quantifying Fish Production Enhancement Bymentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Production of Finfish and Large Crustaceans by Bivalve Reefs

Hancock

Ermgassen

2018

Goods and Services of Marine Bivalves

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Several bivalve families include species that occur in sufficient densities to modify the environment and create structured biogenic habitat. These habitats have also suffered among the highest losses of any marine habitat globally. In the case of bivalve reefs, the physical structure provided by the shells, supplied with biodeposits produced from filter feeding, supports a high density of macroinvertebrate prey, as well as providing shelter for many juvenile fish. This combination leads to enhanced fish production when compared to the unstructured sediment; the habitat type which typically replaces bivalve reefs when they are destroyed. Measuring the densities of juvenile fish and crustaceans on oyster reefs, and at unstructured control sites provides a measure of the net increase in juvenile fish and large crustaceans supported by oyster habitat. Applying growth and mortality schedules from fishery stock assessment literature allows an estimate of the increased lifetime production of juveniles by oyster reef habitats. Species may also benefit from oyster reefs at later life history stages, but these potential benefits have not been included in the current estimates of production. Services such as increased fish production have been used to highlight the range of stakeholders, in addition to the oyster fishers, that benefit from oyster habitat. The broader constituent base for bivalve habitats includes groups such as recreational anglers and commercial fishers as well as the industries that support them. Engaging with these stakeholders through quantifying the benefits of bivalve habitats to fisheries has proven an invaluable asset in promoting bivalve habitat restoration globally, as well as in drawing more funding into restoration efforts. Furthermore, quantifying fish production introduces the potential to include habitats such as those produced by bivalves in Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management.

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Horse mussel reef ecosystem services: evidence for a whelk nursery habitat supporting a shellfishery

Cited by 21 publications

References 44 publications

The benefits of bivalve reef restoration: A global synthesis of underrepresented species

The benefits of bivalve reef restoration: A global synthesis of underrepresented species

Habitat with small inter-structural spaces promotes mussel survival and reef generation

Enhanced Production of Finfish and Large Crustaceans by Bivalve Reefs

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