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The ecology of intertidal oyster reefs of the South Atlantic Coast: A community profile

FWS/OBS 81/15
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Abstract

The functional role of the intertidal oyster reef community in the southeastern Atlantic coastal zone is described. This description is based on a compilation of published data, as well as some unpublished information presented as hypotheses. The profile is organized in a hierarchical manner, such that relevant details of reef oyster biology (autecology) are presented, followed by a description of the reef community level of organization. Then the reef community is described as a subsystem of the coastal marsh-ecosystem (synecoloqy). This information is also synthesized in a series of nested conceptual models of oyster reefs at the regional level, the drainage basin level, and the individual reef level. The final chapter includes a summary overview and a section on management implications and guidelines. Intertidal oyster reefs are relatively persistent features of the salt marsh estuarine ecosystem in the southeastern Atlantic coastal zone. The average areal extent of the oyster reef subsystem in this larger ecosystem is relatively small (about 0.05%). This proportion does not reflect, however, the functional importance of the reef subsystem in stablizing the marsh, providing food for estuarine consumers, mineralizing organic matter, and providing firm substrates in this otherwise soft environment.
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title The ecology of intertidal oyster reefs of the South Atlantic Coast: A community profile
Series title FWS/OBS
Series number 81/15
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Contributing office(s) U.S. Geological Survey
Description x, 105 p.
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