This growth produces impacts through direct and indirect mechanisms to both coastal habitats and fisheries. (NC Division of Marine Fisheries CRFL support)Ĭoastal areas of the United States are experiencing dramatic population growth. Ecosystem function of Oyster Shoreline Stabilization Projects: Efficacy and Support of local fishery Other metrics of marsh development that were monitored included sediment characteristics, slope, mapping of shoreline edge, and plant stem density. Stabilization of substrate and protection of eroding marsh edge was assessed at the pre-construction phase and at the end of the project 18 months later.

The original goal of the this project was to follow reef development at two designated sites over an 18 month period starting with pre site characteristics in 2010 and following reef development at quarterly intervals through 2011-2012. The successful establishment of healthy oyster reefs provides a self-sustaining biogenic structure capable of adjusting to sea level change, which will provide protection to the adjacent shoreline over a decade + timescale as well as providing a harvestable resource and enhanced filtration capacity. Representatives from UNCW and colleagues at NOAA's Beaufort Laboratory assessed the initial success of these oyster plantings by monitoring the development of oyster demographic data (settlement, size distribution, condition index) and utilization by associated fauna, at targeted oyster restoration sites and monitored the benefits that these restorations had on faunal utilization of adjacent shoreline areas. All sites were monitored for aspects of ecosystem function, including erosion control, habitat addition, and fishery function as will adjacent reference habitats at each site. As part of this effort a minimum of four oyster reef restoration sites, each containing restored oyster reefs of various sizes representing different size scales (representing varying amounts of shoreline protection), were established along shorelines experiencing moderate erosion. Many of these areas are also exposed to moderate amounts of wave energy with subsequent erosion of tideflat and marsh edge. As part of the overall oyster restoration effort in NC, a novel approach in the southern region will utilize local watermen to place settlement material in shallow water habitats that are likely to catch oyster spat.

Oysters influence surrounding habitats through a variety ecosystem interactions, providing habitat and refuge for associated finfish and crustacean,filtration, and stabilization of surrounding substrates and protection to eroding marsh habitat in moderately wave energy environments. (funded through the American Restoration and Recovery Act in collaboration with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries, North Carolina Coastal Federation, and North Caroline State University)

Oyster spat settlement