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Oyster reef living shorelines have been proposed as an effective alternative to traditional coastal defence structures (e.g. bulkheads, breakwaters), with the benefit that they may keep pace with sea‐level rise and provide co‐benefits, such as habitat provision. However, there remains uncertainty about the effectiveness of shoreline protection provided by oyster reefs, which limits their broader application.We draw evidence from studies along the east and gulf coasts of the United States, where much research and implementation of oyster reef restoration has occurred, to better define the existing gaps in our understanding of the use of restored oyster reefs for shoreline protection.We find potential disconnects between ecological and engineering functions of reefs. In response, we outline how engineering and ecological principles are used in the design of oyster reef living shorelines and highlight knowledge gaps where an integration of these disciplines will lead to their more effective application.Synthesis and applications. This work highlights the necessary steps to advance the application of oyster reef living shorelines. Importantly, future research should focus on appropriate designs and conditions needed for these structures to effectively protect our coasts from erosion, while supporting a sustainable oyster population, thereby providing actionable nature‐based alternatives for coastal defence to diverse end‐users. This work highlights the necessary steps to advance the application of oyster reef living shorelines. Importantly, future research should focus on appropriate designs and conditions needed for these structures to effectively protect our coasts from erosion, while supporting a sustainable oyster population, thereby providing actionable nature‐based alternatives for coastal defence to diverse end‐users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northern Gulf of Mexico ( GOM), reefs built by eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, provide critical habitat within shallow estuaries, and recent efforts have focused on restoring reefs to benefit nekton and benthic macroinvertebrates. We compared nekton and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at historic, newly created (<5 years) and old (>6 years) shell and rock substrate reefs. Using crab traps, gill-nets, otter trawls, cast nets, and benthic macroinvertebrate collectors, 20 shallow reefs (<5 m) in the northern GOM were sampled throughout the summer of 2011. We compared nekton and benthic assemblage abundance, diversity and composition across reef types. Except for benthic macroinvertebrate abundance, which was significantly higher on old rock reefs as compared to historic reefs, all reefs were similar to historic reefs, suggesting created reefs provide similar support of nekton and benthic assemblages as historic reefs. To determine refuge value of oyster structure for benthic macroinvertebrates compared to bare bottom, we tested preferences of juvenile crabs across depth and refuge complexity in the presence and absence of adult blue crabs ( Callinectes sapidus). Juveniles were more likely to use deep water with predators present only when provided oyster structure. Provision of structural material to support and sustain development of benthic and mobile reef communities may be the most important factor in determining reef value to these assemblages, with biophysical characteristics related to reef location influencing assemblage patterns in areas with structure; if so, appropriately locating created reefs is critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study regarding oyster recruitment and growth on an electrified artificial reef structure in Grand Isle, Louisiana. It discusses that coastal protection remains a global priority as increasing sea levels, tropical storms, and development threaten coastal habitat. A common tool employed to combat shoreline erosion involves armoring the water and land interface. It mentions that recent shoreline protection projects are moving towards promoting the use of native, living materials, while typical armoring is done with heavy, often non-native materials.

Compares abundance and diversity of transient fishes, resident fishes and benthic macroinvertebrates at subtidal clutched oyster and mud bottoms in Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Role of flat oyster bottoms in providing valuable refuge or foraging habitat for fishes and decapod crustaceans; Average salinity; Sampling method; Habitat-specific catch per unit effort by month for gill net sampling of transient fish.

Models of integrated management emphasize the role of the surrounding socioeconomic and political environment in influencing management choices for natural resources. In this study, we explore a model that examines the influence of socioeconomic and political variables on the wetland management programs of U.S. states. Logistic regression was used to identify environmental, socioeconomic, and political variables that explained variation in state wetland programs. The likelihood of strong planning, nonregulatory, regulatory, and overall programs increases as the importance of fisheries in the state increases (p < 0.05), but decreases as population density increases (p < 0.15). Furthermore, there is an increasing likelihood of stronger regulatory and overall programs as environmental group activity and industry importance increases (p < 0.05). These findings provide empirical evidence to support the contention that management approaches used in one state often must be adapted to fit the realities of another given state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica , is a foundation species within US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) estuaries that has experienced substantial population declines. As changes from management and climate are expected to continue to impact estuarine salinity, understanding how local oyster populations might respond and identifying populations with adaptations to more extreme changes in salinity could inform resource management, including restoration and aquaculture programs. Wild oysters were collected from four estuarine sites from Texas [Packery Channel (PC): 35.5, annual mean salinity, Aransas Bay (AB): 23.0] and Louisiana [Calcasieu Lake (CL): 16.2, Vermilion Bay (VB): 7.4] and spawned. The progeny were compared in field and laboratory studies under different salinity regimes. For the field study, F1 oysters were deployed at low (6.4) and intermediate (16.5) salinity sites in Alabama. Growth and mortality were measured monthly. Condition index and Perkinsus marinus infection intensity were measured quarterly. For the laboratory studies, mortality was recorded in F1 oysters that were exposed to salinities of 2.0, 4.0, 20.0/22.0, 38.0 and 44.0 with and without acclimation. The results of the field study and laboratory study with acclimation indicated that PC oysters are adapted to high-salinity conditions and do not tolerate very low salinities. The AB stock had the highest plasticity as it performed as well as the PC stock at high salinities and as well as Louisiana stocks at the lowest salinity. Louisiana stocks did not perform as well as the Texas stocks at high salinities. Results from the laboratory studies without salinity acclimation showed that all F1 stocks experiencing rapid mortality at low salinities when 3-month oysters collected at a salinity of 24 were used and at both low and high salinities when 7-month oysters collected at a salinity of 14.5 were used., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press and the Society for Experimental Biology.)