Bio-engineered oyster reef monitoring, Eloi Bay, Louisiana, 2017-2019

Publication Date

2020-04-28

Start Date

2017-12-13

End Date

2019-12-13

Marshall, D.A., and La Peyre, M.K., 2020, Bio-engineered oyster reef monitoring, Eloi Bay, Louisiana, 2017-2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9RAWW5V.

Oyster recruitment, growth and survival, along with encrusting organism densities were examined across a living shoreline built with bio-engineered materials. While the primary goal is to attenuate wave energy, the sustainability and ultimately success of these products is 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). Reef structure design and material may affect oyster recruitment and growth, ultimately affecting reef complexity and sustainability over time. The data collected aimed to quantify oyster population dynamics on each of the five bio-engineered products. Specifically, we measured annual encrusting organism (oyster, mussel, barnacle) density (ind m-2) and oyster shell height (mm) using a random sampling design, stratified by windward (bay-facing) and leeward (marsh-facing) faces of the reef.

• Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units