Five years of monitoring a bio-engineered living shoreline: Comparison of oyster population development by reef technology.

Cooperator Science Series 139-2022
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The Living Shoreline Demonstration Project (PO-148) used five bio-engineered reef technologies (Reef Balls in two configurations; Figure 1) acting as breakwaters to protect vulnerable shorelines. While the primary goal is to attenuate wave energy, the sustainability and success of these products as “living” shorelines are based on their ability to enhance oyster habitat, enabling the reef to maintain elevation within the rapidly changing environment (i.e., sea level rise, subsidence). This report documents the recruitment, survival, and growth of the living components of the reef – oysters and other encrusting organisms (e.g. mussels, barnacles). This final technical report provides data from five years of monitoring (November 2017 – December 2021) of reefs located along the western side of Eloi Bay in Pontchartrain Basin (Figure 2). Monitoring goals included assessment of (1) annual oyster densities and population dynamics on the reefs, (2) annual density and diversity of other encrusting organisms, and (3) comparisons of outcomes by reef technology, exposure, and water quality. Detailed information on technologies used, construction design, as-built elevations are available in Coast & Harbor Engineering (2016) Design Memorandum dated March 25, 2016, submitted to Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title Five years of monitoring a bio-engineered living shoreline: Comparison of oyster population development by reef technology.
Series title Cooperator Science Series
Series number 139-2022
DOI 10.3996/css70529922
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description ii, 19 p.
Country United States
State Louisiana
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details