Using a weight-structured oyster population dynamic model to explore top-down control of coastal water quality in a subtropical embayment

Richards, Russell; Chaloupka, Milani

doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsu119

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 52 publications

(66 reference statements)

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“…Bayne et al () estimated that S. glomerata filter 2 L·h −1 ·g·dry weight −1 , suggesting that a large oyster could filter up to 100 L per day. In a large estuary of southern Queensland (Moreton Bay), it was estimated that water quality improvements would be detectable where oyster densities exceeded 0.09 ind./m 2 , and oyster densities of 1.8 ind./m 2 would achieve local water quality guidelines (Richards & Chaloupka ).…”

Section: Benefits Of Sydney Rock Oyster Reef Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The value and opportunity of restoring Australia's lost rock oyster reefs

McAfee

McLeod

Boström‐Einarsson

et al. 2020

Restoration Ecology

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Recognizing the historical loss of habitats and the value and opportunities for their recovery is essential for mobilizing habitat restoration as a solution for managing ecosystem function. Just 200 years ago, Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) formed extensive reef ecosystems along Australia's temperate east coast, but a century of intensive harvest and coastal change now confines S. glomerata to encrusting the hard‐intertidal surfaces of sheltered coastal waters. Despite the lack of natural reef recovery, there appears enormous potential for the restoration of intertidal S. glomerata ecosystems across Australia's east coast, with large anticipated benefits to water quality, shoreline protection, and coastal productivity. Yet, no subtidal reefs remain and the potential for subtidal restoration is a critical knowledge gap. Here, we synthesize historical, ecological, and aquaculture literature to describe a reference system for the traits of S. glomerata reefs to inform restoration targets, and outline the barriers to, and opportunities and methods for, their restoration. These reefs support extremely biodiverse and productive communities and can ameliorate the environmental stress experienced by associated communities. Rock oyster restoration, therefore, provides an ecosystem‐based strategy for assisting the adaptation of marine biodiversity to a changing climate and intensive human encroachment. Though an estimated 92% of S. glomerata ecosystems are lost, there remains great potential to restore these valuable and resilient ecosystems.

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Section: Benefits Of Sydney Rock Oyster Reef Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The value and opportunity of restoring Australia's lost rock oyster reefs

McAfee

McLeod

Boström‐Einarsson

et al. 2020

Restoration Ecology

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“…These efforts have led to the return of ecological functions and social and economic benefits such as job creation and fish production [ 33 , 34 ]. Shellfish ecosystem restoration has been suggested as a mechanism for bringing back lost ecological functions in Australian estuaries and coastal waters [ 35 , 36 ]. However, ecological knowledge and examples of shellfish ecosystem restoration and the underpinning science relating to the ecology, structure and distribution of shellfish ecosystems are rare outside of the United States and particularly so in the Southern Hemisphere, where only a handful of studies have documented their distribution and decline [ 7 , 8 , 37 – 42 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian shellfish ecosystems: Past distribution, current status and future direction

et al. 2018

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We review the status of marine shellfish ecosystems formed primarily by bivalves in Australia, including: identifying ecosystem-forming species, assessing their historical and current extent, causes for decline and past and present management. Fourteen species of bivalves were identified as developing complex, three-dimensional reef or bed ecosystems in intertidal and subtidal areas across tropical, subtropical and temperate Australia. A dramatic decline in the extent and condition of Australia’s two most common shellfish ecosystems, developed by Saccostrea glomerata and Ostrea angasi oysters, occurred during the mid-1800s to early 1900s in concurrence with extensive harvesting for food and lime production, ecosystem modification, disease outbreaks and a decline in water quality. Out of 118 historical locations containing O. angasi-developed ecosystems, only one location still contains the ecosystem whilst only six locations are known to still contain S. glomerata-developed ecosystems out of 60 historical locations. Ecosystems developed by the introduced oyster Crasostrea gigas are likely to be increasing in extent, whilst data on the remaining 11 ecosystem-forming species are limited, preventing a detailed assessment of their current ecosystem-forming status. Our analysis identifies that current knowledge on extent, physical characteristics, biodiversity and ecosystem services of Australian shellfish ecosystems is extremely limited. Despite the limited information on shellfish ecosystems, a number of restoration projects have recently been initiated across Australia and we propose a number of existing government policies and conservation mechanisms, if enacted, would readily serve to support the future conservation and recovery of Australia’s shellfish ecosystems.

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