Integrating societal perspectives and values for improved stewardship of a coastal ecosystem engineer

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Oyster reefs provide coastal societies with a vast array of ecosystem services, but are also destructively harvested as an economically and culturally important fishery resource, exemplifying a complex social-ecological system (SES). Historically, societal demand for oysters has led to destructive and unsustainable levels of harvest, which coupled with multiple other stressors has placed oyster reefs among the most globally imperiled coastal habitats. However, more recent studies have demonstrated that large-scale restoration is possible and that healthy oyster populations can be sustained with effective governance and stewardship. However, both of these require significant societal support or financial investment. In our study, we explored relationships among how coastal societies (1) perceive and value oyster ecosystem services, (2) recognize and define problems associated with oyster decline, and (3) perceive or support stewardship initiatives. We specifically focused on the SES of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and coastal societies in the northern Gulf of Mexico, a region identified as offering among the last and best opportunities to sustainably balance conservation objectives with a wild fishery. We found that, in addition to harvest-related benefits, oysters were highly valued for providing habitat, mitigating shoreline erosion, and improving water quality or clarity. Our results also showed that although most respondents recognized that oyster populations have declined, many respondents characterized the problem differently than most scientific literature does. Among a variety of initiatives for enhancing sustainability, spawning sanctuaries and reef restoration were well supported in all states, but support for harvest reductions was less consistent. Our study suggests that public support for maintaining both harvest and ecosystem services exists at societal levels and that enhancing public awareness regarding the extent and causes of oyster decline could garner additional support for stewardship initiatives. Collectively, the societal, economic, and biophysical complexities of the northern Gulf of Mexico oyster SES illustrate the need and public support for developing more comprehensive management schemes for exploited ecosystem engineers.

Generalizing Ecological Effects of Shoreline Armoring Across Soft Sediment Environments

“…Multiple studies concluded that adding constructed oyster reefs, living shorelines, or permeable riprap armoring structures provided significant new habitat area (e.g., Davis et al 2002. Piazza et al 2005, Swann 2008, Powers et al 2009, Scyphers et al 2014, Gittman et al 2016a). However, a myriad of negative observations was also reported for Box 1a.…”

The Incorporation of Biophysical and Social Components in Coastal Management

“…Secondly, there are no standardised methods or tools for the design and safety assessment of ecosystems in a coastal protection scheme nor are there consistent frameworks for legislation or regulation (Restore America's Estuaries 2015). A third challenge is harnessing the support of key stakeholders for the implementation, funding and sustainability of these solutions, as they may be unfamiliar with EbA and its benefits (Olsson et al 2004;Scyphers et al 2014;Scyphers et al 2015). Finally, EbA requires collaboration between governmental agencies, NGOs, private sector enterprises and academic disciplines, which generally work in a rather isolated manner.…”

Restoration perceptions and collaboration challenges under severe water scarcity: the Aculeo Lake process

“…After all, if and how much an ecosystem should be restored or managed is not only a technical answer, but also a political decision based on cost–benefit analysis, differing priorities, and complex trade‐offs that include human perceptions and values attached to those ecosystems (Robertson et al 2000; Jacobs & Buijs 2011). As ecosystem degradation can be equally related to both climatic events and human management aspects (Camp et al 2015), its restoration or rehabilitation needs an understanding of the different causes of degradation, and its links to history and socio‐economic aspects of human use and appropriation of the site to be restored or managed (Moreira et al 2006; Scyphers et al 2014). Past, current, and future appropriation of the ecosystem will affect society's perceived long‐term goods and benefits from the ecological restoration, as well as their opinion and support over the importance of public investment in such an effort (Brancalion et al 2014).…”