Optimising recruitment in habitat creation for the native European oyster (Ostrea edulis): Implications of temporal and spatial variability in larval abundance

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

卷:170

Article

Chapman, Erica C. N.¹  Rodriguez-Perez, Ana^1,2  Hugh-Jones, Tristan³  Bromley, Cass⁴  James, Mark A.⁵  Diele, Karen^1,6  Sanderson, William G.^1,2 

[1] St Abbs Marine Stn, St Abbs TD14 5PW, Berwick, Scotland

[2] Heriot Watt Univ, Sch Energy Geosci Infrastruct & Soc, ILES, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, Midlothian, Scotland

[3] Loch Ryan Oyster Co Ltd, Penberth TR19 6HJ, Cornwall, England

[4] NatureScot, Marine Fisheries, Perth PH1 3EW, Scotland

[5] Univ St Andrews, Sch Biol, St Andrews KY16 9ST, Fife, Scotland

[6] Edinburgh Napier Univ, Sch Appl Sci, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, Midlothian, Scotland

关键词: Ostrea edulis;    Larval behaviour;    Larval dispersal;    Connectivity;    Habitat restoration;    Cultch;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112579

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

European oyster (Ostrea edulis) restoration often requires the timely deployment of shell habitat for larval settlement. To inform this increasingly popular process, the present study investigated temporal and spatial abundance patterns of O. edulis larvae in a rare commercial fishery (Loch Ryan, Scotland, UK). Patterns in larval abundance were analysed against variability in temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, oxygen, tidal/moon phase, light, date, and location. 'Temperature sum' (sum total of degrees per day above 7 degrees C) was the most significant seasonal predictor of larval abundance; with a peak at 617 degree-days. Oyster larval abundance did not significantly vary between oyster bed and non-bed habitats but was significantly higher in the mid and near-surface part of the water column. The findings are discussed in the context of emerging international restoration initiatives and have implications for: where habitat restoration would be successful; the prediction of larval connectivity between sites; and a transferable indicator to optimise shell-habitat deployment timing.

【 授权许可】

Free