Effects of inundation duration on southeastern Louisiana oyster reefs

Experimental Results
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Abstract

Understanding the effects of predicted rising sea levels, combined with changes in precipitation and freshwater inflow on key estuarine ecosystem engineers such as the eastern oyster would provide critical information to inform restoration design and predictive models. Using oyster ladders with shell bags placed at three heights to capture a range of inundation levels, oyster growth of naturally recruited spat was monitored over the course of 6 months. Oyster numbers and shell heights were consistently highest in bottom and mid bags experiencing greater than 50% inundation (mid: 63 ± 7%; bottom: 95 ± 3%). Identifying thresholds for optimal oyster growth and survival to enhance restoration engineering would require finer scale evaluation of inundation levels.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Effects of inundation duration on southeastern Louisiana oyster reefs
Series title Experimental Results
DOI 10.1017/exp.2020.35
Volume 1
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description e30, 8 p.
Country United States
State Louisiana
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