Wave Exposure Structures Oyster Distribution on Natural Intertidal Reefs, But Not on Hardened Shorelines

Theuerkauf, Seth J.; Eggleston, David B.; Puckett, Brandon; Theuerkauf, Kathrynlynn W.

doi:10.1007/s12237-016-0153-6

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Along steep-sloped, high-exposure shorelines, reef restoration may require more robust substrates than loose shell. Although the direct mechanisms controlling oyster density-and ultimately reef development-were not tested here, there are a number of factors, including wave disturbance (Scyphers et al 2011;Theuerkauf et al 2017), predation (Garton & Stickle 1980), and inundation time (Fodrie et al 2014), that can affect reef development and success. Byers et al (2015) suggested that areas of high tidal energy (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salt marsh shoreline geomorphology influences the success of restored oyster reefs and use by associated fauna

Keller

Gittman

Brodeur

et al. 2019

Restoration Ecology

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Restoration is increasingly implemented as a strategy to mitigate global declines in biogenic habitats, such as salt marshes and oyster reefs. Restoration efforts could be improved if we knew how site characteristics at landscape scales affect the ecological success of these foundation species. In this study, we determined how salt marsh shoreline geomorphologies (e.g. with variable hydrodynamic energy, fetch, erosion rates, and slopes) affect the success of restored intertidal oyster reefs, as well as how fauna utilize restored reefs and forage along marsh habitats. We constructed oyster reefs along three marsh shoreline geomorphologies in May 2012: 1) “creek” (small‐fetch, gradual‐sloped shoreline), “ramp” (large‐fetch, gradual‐sloped shoreline), and “scarp” (large‐fetch, steep‐sloped shoreline). Following recruitment, oyster spat density was greatest on ramp reefs; however, 2 years later, the highest adult oyster densities were found on creek reefs. Total nekton and blue crab catch rates in trawl nets were highest in the creek, while piscivore catch rates in gill nets were highest along the scarp shoreline. We found no difference in predation on snails in the salt marsh behind constructed reef and nonconstructed reference sites, but there were more snails consumed in the creek shoreline, which corresponded with the distribution of their major predator—blue crabs. We conclude that oyster reef construction was most successful for oysters in small‐fetch, gradual‐sloped, creek environments. However, nekton abundance did not always follow the same trends as oyster density, which could suggest constructed reefs may offer similar habitat‐related functions (prey availability and refuge) already present along existing salt marsh borders.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salt marsh shoreline geomorphology influences the success of restored oyster reefs and use by associated fauna

Keller

Gittman

Brodeur

et al. 2019

Restoration Ecology

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“…Theuerkauf et al . () correlated the presence of oysters from ground‐truthed oyster maps with estimated wave exposure using the Wave Exposure Model developed by the United States National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The threshold for presence of oysters was estimated to be approximately 500 J m −1 total representative wave energy in one wavelength per unit wave crest length.…”

Section: In‐situ Hydrodynamics On Oyster Reefsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, ; Bishop & Hooper ; Comeau ; Theuerkauf et al . ). Previous attempts to understand the flow effects on oyster growth and filtration have been inconclusive and poorly understood (ZuErmgassen et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Hydrodynamic effects on oyster aquaculture systems: a review

Campbell

Hall

2018

Reviews in Aquaculture

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Hydrodynamics (i.e. interactions of fluid motion with solid bodies) affect oyster aquaculture within every phase of farming. Although it has many direct and indirect implications to the success of any particular aquaculture endeavour, hydrodynamics is the least understood of environmental factors affecting oyster growth. As the industry continues to mature, it is imperative that the influence of hydrodynamics on oyster aquaculture is thoroughly understood. Hydrodynamics also interacts with other environmental factors, such as salinity, temperature, turbidity, food supply and oxygen, which affect the health and growth of oysters through mixing and transport. Proper siting and management of aquaculture requires a comprehensive understanding of the hydrodynamics involved and its impact on the culture of oysters. Unfortunately, literature is inconsistent on oyster feeding and growth response to the influence of hydrodynamics. Feeding and growth limiting velocities are reported that range from 1 to above 22 cm s À1 . This is in contrast with thriving oyster reefs in a natural setting that exist and thrive above 15 cm s À1 . Upweller systems have reported bulk velocities that range from 0.5 to 7.1 cm s À1 . In practice, higher current velocities are desirable because they increase delivery of food to the oysters, improve water quality, and enhance dispersal of biodeposits. This paper summarizes the findings of those studies in regard to hydrodynamics and provides suggestions for future work.

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“…These sites have an average tidal range of 1.6 m and are bordered on their landward edge by salt marsh habitat consisting mainly of cordgrass, along with some black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) [28]. Historically, eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs populated the edges of this estuary, but now they are predominately found in tidal creeks that experience lower levels of boating activity [5]. However, the area still receives a steady oyster larval supply during the reproductive season, which lasts from March to October, with peaks in May-June [29].…”

Section: Field Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, recreational and commercial boat traffic is on the rise within estuaries worldwide and is significantly altering the hydrodynamics of these systems. Oyster reef survival has been shown to be limited by a narrow wave exposure threshold of 500 J/m [5]. High-energy boat wakes can approach this threshold and contribute to mass oyster mortality along the edges of popular boating channels, as evidenced by dead reef margins that extend well above the high water line [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitigating Erosional Effects Induced by Boat Wakes with Living Shorelines

et al. 2018

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Estuarine environments worldwide are among the most threatened habitats due to increased disturbances resulting from coastal infrastructure and rising population densities. Boating activity is a primary disturbance, as it induces biological stress and morphological changes along the coastline. This high-energy environment that boat wakes create has resulted in loss of surrounding oyster reefs and salt marsh vegetation, ultimately leading to shoreline and habitat erosion. Here, we characterize the boat wake climate in the Intracoastal Waterway, assess the bathymetry in this heavily trafficked area, and anticipate the effects of experimental living shorelines (natural breakwall and oyster restoration structures) on facilitating sediment deposition and slowing vegetation retreat. Field observations indicate that boat wakes suspend nearshore sediment and can reach heights greater than 40 cm. A numerical stability model of the breakwalls suggests that the optimal porosity is field-specific. The desired porosity for minimizing lateral displacement is 0.50, while it is 0.18 for maximum energy dissipation, which indicates a need to further investigate this complex problem. These findings demonstrate that boat wakes significantly and regularly disturb estuarine shorelines and may be altering their bathymetry as well as suggest that the design of the breakwalls may be optimized to best counteract this pervasive disturbance.

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Wave Exposure Structures Oyster Distribution on Natural Intertidal Reefs, But Not on Hardened Shorelines

Cited by 17 publications

References 32 publications

Salt marsh shoreline geomorphology influences the success of restored oyster reefs and use by associated fauna

Salt marsh shoreline geomorphology influences the success of restored oyster reefs and use by associated fauna

Hydrodynamic effects on oyster aquaculture systems: a review

Mitigating Erosional Effects Induced by Boat Wakes with Living Shorelines

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