Oyster Reef Habitats Begin to Disappear as Cold Temperatures Decrease in Florida Waters

Ruined shorelines and shallow coastal waters of Tampa Bay have historically supported typical subtropical marine habitats, such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and mud flats.

Mangroves abruptly took over oyster reef habitats along the seashore, displacing the vegetation of the salt marsh and endangering animals that depend on them.

Oyster Habitats in Florida

(Photo : Ben Stern/Unsplash)

Leading author Stephen Hesterberg, a recent graduate of USF's integrative biology Ph.D. program, found mangroves were encroaching on most oyster reefs while conducting fieldwork in Tampa Bay, as per ScienceDaily.

In collaboration with Kendal Jackson, a doctorate candidate, and Susan Bell, a renowned university integrative biology professor, Hesterberg investigated the number of mangrove islands that were formerly oyster reefs as well as the reasons behind the habitat change.

The multidisciplinary USF team discovered that fewer freezes made it possible for mangrove islands to take the place of the formerly predominate salt marsh vegetation.

Ruined shorelines and shallow coastal waters of Tampa Bay have consistently supported typical subtropical marine habitats such as salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and mud flats.

Mangroves suddenly took over oyster reef habitats that had existed for centuries when they unexpectedly displaced the salt marsh vegetation near the beach.

The scientists discovered that 83% of recorded oyster reefs in Tampa Bay had entirely transformed into mangrove islands using aerial photographs from 1938 to 2020 and that the conversion rate accelerated all through the 20th century.

Susan Bell, distinguished university professor of integrative biology, said Florida ecosystem management in northern coastal settings will have to deal with tropicalization within decades, even though the transition to mangrove islands is advanced in the Tampa Bay estuary and estuary to the south.

By lessening the force of waves, oyster reefs protect coastlines while also enhancing water quality.

Although mangroves also have advantages like bird habitat and carbon sequestration, some ecosystem services particular to oyster reefs would be lost or drastically reduced if reefs become mangrove islands.

Oyster reef maintenance will become more challenging because of tropicalization, but human interference through reef restoration or active removal of mangrove seedlings may be able to slow or stop the homogenization of subtropical landscapes.

Also Read Restricting Fishing at Chesapeake Bay could Help Restore Oyster Population, Researchers Say

Oyster Reef Habitat's Value

Oysters gather on old shells, rock, piers, or any other hard, submerged surface in saline or brackish coastal waters.

As they expand, they meld together to form reefs that resemble rocks and serve as habitats for other marine life and vegetation, as per NOAA Fisheries.

Oysters start out as tiny, swimming larvae that float freely. They quickly become stationary and connect to a stable surface, where they will continue to develop throughout the remainder of their lives.

Oysters gather on rocks, old shells, wrecks, and piers where they build shells on top of shells. As the reef develops, it serves as a fantastic haven for various marine life.

Numerous species rely on the vital environment that oyster reefs provide. They become inhabited by creatures like mussels, barnacles, and sea anemones, which produce an abundance of fish food that is useful for commerce.

The health of the world's oceans depends heavily on oysters.

These animals offer habitat, food, and employment as well as filtering and cleaning the water in the area.

Oyster reefs can act as storm and tide barriers in particular locations, reducing erosion and preserving valuable estuary waters.

These can deteriorate if they are primarily exploited as a location to collect oyster flesh for sale.

Oyster reefs and the environment they provide can be worth billions of dollars to the economy if they're restored and managed as a sustainable materials.