Article
Environmental Sciences
K. Gill, K. A. Chenier, A. Free, J. Goff, J. L. Pitchford, K. Cressman, M. Posten, E. Brunden, M. Shelton, K. Swanson, S. R. Cunningham, J. Garland, C. Snyder, M. Lamb, T. Schauwecker, E. L. Sparks
Summary: Along the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) coast, using livestock for habitat management in coastal uplands has the potential to be a less intrusive and financially viable alternative to traditional habitat management techniques. A survey was conducted to explore the research needs and concerns related to using livestock for habitat management. The survey results showed that there is strong interest in using livestock for habitat management among respondents, but there is a lack of information and awareness about grazing practices for coastal upland habitat management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brecht Stechele, Leo Barbut, Genevieve Lacroix, Luca A. van Duren, Vera Van Lancker, Steven Degraer, Giacomo Montereale Gavazzi, Peter Bossier, Annelies M. Declercq, Nancy Nevejan
Summary: By combining seabed substrate information with population and particle tracking models, this study provides insights into the spatial distribution of suitability indicators for flat oyster habitat restoration. The study finds that coastal and nearshore environments are more suitable for restoration projects. Additionally, the model can be used to evaluate the impact of management strategies and environmental pressures on restoration success.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lisa M. Smith, Erin M. Reschke, Justin J. Bousquin, Leonard P. Cheskiewicz, Nikolaos Ilias, J. Kevin Summers, James E. Harvey
Summary: Ecosystem management requires a holistic approach that considers both ecological and social outcomes. Socio-ecological assessments can inform adaptive management and help prioritize restoration activities. Additionally, a composite measure combining ecological and social indicators can be used to characterize ecological suitability for estuarine species and support restoration decisions.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francisco Martinez-Baena, Brendan S. Lanham, Ian M. McLeod, Matthew D. Taylor, Stephen McOrrie, Alyssa Luongo, Melanie J. Bishop
Summary: This study found that oyster reefs play important roles in supporting fish communities, and they have similar functions as adjacent seagrass beds and mangrove forests. The number of fish observed in oyster reefs is almost double than that in mangroves and seagrass beds, and some fish species are unique to oyster reefs and mangroves containing oysters. These findings contribute to the development of restoration and management strategies that maximize fisheries benefit.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Cheng Zheng, Zhongming Wen, Yangyang Liu, Qian Guo, Yanmin Jiang, Hanyu Ren, Yongming Fan, Yuting Yang
Summary: Selecting optimal revegetation patterns and filtering priority areas can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of revegetation planning, particularly in areas with severe vegetation damage. Near-Nature restoration focuses on natural ideas to guide degraded ecosystems to reorganize and achieve sustainable restoration. Results from this study suggest that shrubs and herbaceous plant species in parts of the Loess Plateau should be considered as pioneer plants in future revegetation plans, which can be guided by the mapping of priority areas based on the richness of potential native species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinmeng Wang, Jihong Zhang, Yi Zhong, Yi Liu, Wenguang Wu
Summary: Oyster reef restoration can effectively alleviate eutrophication and provide other ecosystem services, but suitable restoration sites need to be identified. This study developed a restoration suitability index model for C. gigas reefs using Monte Carlo simulation, analytic hierarchy process, hydrodynamic modeling, and geographic information systems, and applied it in Laizhou Bay, China. The model identified the east coastal area, southern part, and western part of Laizhou Bay as the most suitable restoration sites, accounting for 15.3% of the bay. Unsuitable sites were found in the middle and northern parts of the bay due to water depth and flow velocity limitations. Degradation of historically recorded oyster reefs was primarily caused by ship waterways and marine industries. This model can assist in oyster restoration planning and can be adapted for other oyster species with adjusted indicators.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachel S. Smith, Bo Lusk, Max C. N. Castorani
Summary: Global declines of foundation species have reduced ecological function, but restoration can quickly recover multiple ecological functions and match natural systems. Restored reefs with increasing biomass become more temporally stable, suggesting that restoration can increase resilience and stabilize ecosystem processes.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Hogan, M. A. Reidenbach
Summary: The study found that artificial reef designs of varying elevations have different effects on coastal protection and oyster growth, with high elevation reefs performing better in attenuating waves and promoting oyster growth. Oyster density on high elevation reefs can be twice as high as on low elevation designs, and reef width has minimal impact on oyster population density.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Bryan DeAngelis, Jonathan R. Gair, Sophus zu Ermgassen, Ronald Baker, Andre Daniels, Timothy C. MacDonald, Kara Meckley, Sean Powers, Marta Ribera, Lawrence P. Rozas, Jonathan H. Grabowski
Summary: Seagrasses, salt marsh edges, and oyster reefs contribute to the enhancement of fish and invertebrate production, with varying levels of effectiveness. The difference in production enhancement between habitats is attributed to factors such as species-specific densities and commercial value. The quantification of production enhancement within specific embayments can guide habitat management decisions and emphasize the importance of habitat protection and restoration.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lisa M. Smith, Erin M. Reschke, Justin J. Bousquin, James E. Harvey, J. Kevin Summers
Summary: This paper proposes a conceptual approach to characterize ecological suitability, emphasizing the importance of ecological and social indicators in restoration and revitalization efforts. Using a structured literature review, the authors identify existing restoration frameworks and indicators, and apply them to prioritize and evaluate restoration effectiveness, as exemplified in estuaries. The holistic conceptual approach complements existing restoration evaluations and provides a novel way to incorporate ecological and social information for ecosystem managers and stakeholders.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hunter Forbes, Victor Shelamoff, Wouter Visch, Cayne Layton
Summary: Research shows limited evidence that kelp farming provides biodiversity benefits, as farming can increase abundance and diversity among certain taxa but typically create habitats different from natural kelp forests. Additionally, the potential for kelp farms to support biodiversity depends on operational factors that may conflict with farming objectives.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Rex Richards, Sandra Lavorel
Summary: This study developed an empirical model using social media data to assess landscape appreciation. The sensitivity analysis identified priority areas for native forest restoration and highlighted spatial mismatches between conflicting ecosystem service objectives.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yiping Wei, Bo Song, Yalin Wang
Summary: Establishing a practicable ecological compensation scheme is crucial for raising sufficient funds for habitat conservation. This study proposes a cross-region ecological compensation scheme that integrates habitat maintenance services production and consumption. The results show that Beijing paid the highest ecological compensation fees, while Hebei province received the most. Chengde city was the largest beneficiary, and the results are consistent with each region's ecological function positioning and economic development status.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Daniel. J. J. Pondella, Jeremy. T. T. Claisse, Chelsea. M. M. Williams
Summary: Increasing fish production in the ocean is achievable and beneficial for both the economy and the ecosystem. Artificial reef deployments have been successful in restoring these services, and understanding the mechanisms and design considerations is important for future structures. maximising ecological processes and considering habitat use are critical in creating productive reefs. We propose a general theory for optimizing these variables.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana D. Sampaio, Pedro F. Pereira, Alice Nunes, Adelaide Clemente, Vania Salgueiro, Carmo Silva, Antonio Mira, Cristina Branquinho, Pedro A. Salgueiro
Summary: The study assessed restoration success in a quarry undergoing restoration practices for 40 years, finding that bird abundance in the restored area was significantly lower and the bird community composition differed from neighboring natural and semi-natural areas. Vegetation characteristics, such as native vegetation cover and fruit richness, played a key role in driving bird community composition and influencing seed dispersal services.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kayelyn R. Simmons, David B. Eggleston, DelWayne R. Bohnenstiehl
Summary: Soundscape ecology is a new and powerful approach for assessing habitat quality and ecological response of sound-producing species. This study focused on the impacts of Hurricane Irma on the coral reef soundscape using passive acoustic data collected before, during, and after the storm. The results showed that the coral reef soundscape was relatively resilient to acoustic energy exposure and environmental changes caused by the hurricane on short time scales.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olivia N. Caretti, DelWayne R. Bohnenstiehl, David B. Eggleston
Summary: The study found that the short-term persistence of restored oyster reefs in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina was influenced by factors such as sediment burial, with reefs in different environmental conditions being affected to varying degrees. Sediment dynamics play a key role in the success of these reefs, with reefs in high-energy environments potentially having limited long-term economic and ecosystem benefits.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julie M. Rose, J. Stephen Gosnell, Suzanne Bricker, Mark J. Brush, Allison Colden, Lora Harris, Eric Karplus, Alix Laferriere, Nathaniel H. Merrill, Tammy B. Murphy, Joshua Reitsma, Johnny Shockley, Kurt Stephenson, Seth Theuerkauf, Dan Ward, Robinson W. Fulweiler
Summary: Nitrogen pollution poses a significant threat to coastal water quality globally, leading to an increasing demand for governmental regulations and marine policy to address nitrogen pollution. In situ nitrogen reduction practices, including the potential contributions of coastal bivalve shellfish to enhanced denitrification, are being considered as complementary management approaches. However, the incorporation of bivalve-enhanced denitrification into water quality policy remains limited, despite evidence suggesting its effectiveness in nitrogen removal.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
S. J. Pittman, K. L. Yates, P. J. Bouchet, D. Alvarez-Berastegui, S. Andrefouet, S. S. Bell, C. Berkstrom, C. Bostrom, C. J. Brown, R. M. Connolly, R. Devillers, D. Eggleston, B. L. Gilby, M. Gullstrom, B. S. Halpern, M. Hidalgo, D. Holstein, K. Hovel, F. Huettmann, E. L. Jackson, W. R. James, J. B. Kellner, C. Y. Kot, V Lecours, C. Lepczyk, I Nagelkerken, J. Nelson, A. D. Olds, R. O. Santos, K. L. Scales, D. C. Schneider, H. T. Schilling, C. Simenstad, I. M. Suthers, E. A. Treml, L. M. Wedding, P. Yates, M. Young
Summary: Seascape ecology, as a marine-centric interdisciplinary science, lacks a coherent prioritization of key research questions. Using a 2-stage Delphi method, this study identified priority research themes including seascape change, connectivity, scale, ecosystem-based management, and emerging technologies. The analysis revealed congruence and discrepancies in priority rankings across different respondent groups.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Kayla A. Christianson, David B. Eggleston
Summary: Ecologists use a variety of theories to explain ecological patterns and processes, testing their consistency in an ever-changing world. The recent study in North Carolina found that the colonial tunicate Clavelina oblonga has become a dominant component of the marine fouling community, leading to changes in community structure and reduction in species diversity.
Review
Fisheries
Seth J. Theuerkauf, Luke T. Barrett, Heidi K. Alleway, Barry A. Costa-Pierce, Adam St Gelais, Robert C. Jones
Summary: Aquaculture can negatively impact coastal ecosystems but can also provide valuable ecosystem goods and services, including increasing the abundance and species richness of wild, mobile macrofauna. The cultivation of bivalve shellfish and seaweed can positively influence the structure and function of faunal communities through various mechanisms such as providing structured habitat and food resources.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Seth J. Theuerkauf, Brandon J. Puckett, David B. Eggleston
Summary: This study applied a spatially explicit model to simulate the dynamics of an Eastern oyster metapopulation in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System, showing an overall stable but slightly declining metapopulation, reef type-specific population trajectories depending on larval recruitment variation, greater importance of inter-reef larval connectivity on metapopulation dynamics than local larval retention, and the need for continued protection of oyster sanctuaries.
Article
Ecology
Emory H. Wellman, Christopher J. Baillie, Brandon J. Puckett, Sarah E. Donaher, Stacy N. Trackenberg, Rachel K. Gittman
Summary: To protect coastal areas and minimize the negative ecological impacts of artificial shoreline protection methods, the use of natural and nature-based infrastructure (NNBI) is recommended. By studying reefs constructed from different substrates in varying environmental conditions, it was found that oyster-based NNBI provided shoreline protection in high-energy environments but not in low-energy environments. Both high-energy and low-energy shorelines experienced retreat and decline in marsh vegetation density.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Heidi K. Alleway, Alice R. Jones, Seth J. Theuerkauf, Robert C. Jones
Summary: This study evaluated the vulnerabilities of mariculture in 171 coastal countries to climate change and the opportunities for climate mitigation outcomes. Regions such as Northern America and Europe were found to have lower vulnerability and higher impact on climate mitigation, with countries like Australia, Canada, and France well-positioned to advance strategies linked to mariculture.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kayelyn R. Simmons, DelWayne R. Bohnenstiehl, David B. Eggleston
Summary: This study characterizes the changes in abiotic and biotic features of coral reefs in the Florida Keys, USA, and finds that protected sites generally have higher live coral cover compared to fished sites with complex physical features. The study also highlights the importance of within-site variation in driving site separation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin P. Voigt, David B. Eggleston
Summary: This study highlights how regional postlarval dispersal patterns and local-scale factors affect nursery habitat use by blue crabs when multiple habitats are present in a seascape.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Geoffrey W. Bell, David B. Eggleston
Summary: The study used mark-recapture data collected by commercial crabbers to quantify the timing and routes of mature female blue crab migration in the CAPES in North Carolina. The results showed that mature female blue crabs consistently moved towards the Oregon Inlet spawning sanctuary in early summer. The majority of recaptures were concentrated in the area where Albemarle, Currituck, and Croatan sounds merge.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Avery B. Paxton, Trevor N. Riley, Camille L. Steenrod, Carter S. Smith, Y. Stacy Zhang, Rachel K. Gittman, Brian R. Silliman, Christine A. Buckel, T. Shay Viehman, Brandon J. Puckett, Jenny Davis
Summary: This study aims to fill gaps in our understanding of the performance of nature-based solutions (NBS) for coastal protection. We will identify and collate evidence on the performance of active NBS interventions in salt marsh, seagrass, kelp, mangrove, shellfish reef, and coral reef systems. The resulting knowledge will inform future coastal protection efforts.
ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunyue Wei, Seth J. Theuerkauf
Summary: This study utilized a novel multitemporal workflow to estimate accurate bathymetry in Palau. Among various methodological options, the polynomial model built upon bilinearly interpolated mean composition data performed the best, accurately estimating water depth up to 13.7 m. This multitemporal approach could be applied to other regions for gap-free and accurate bathymetry estimations.
JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
