Growth and Recruitment of Eastern Oysters on Wave Attenuating Structures
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Humans continue to modify natural environments in response to anthropogenic activities and natural processes. A notable example of this effort is the use of engineering structures to mitigate coastal erosion and flooding in high-risk areas. Historically, hard structures such as revetments or seawalls have been used for this purpose. In recent years there has been an increased recognition of the negative effects associated with these. An alternative option would be to implement living shorelines that can provide protection, and as a co-benefit, restore ecological functions to the area. A third option would be a hybrid between grey (hard structures) and green (soft structures) with the intention of combining the benefits of both. The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of a hybrid-engineered structure, Atlantic Reefmakers, implemented in the lower Caper Fear River. An environmental monitoring survey has been done over the past few years to evaluate the sediment accretion, marsh migration, and biological components associated with these structures. This research will focus on the efficacy of Atlantic Reefmakers as an artificial reef promoting oyster growth and recruitment.
