An overview of current oyster reef restoration in the US: Projectgoals, associated success criteria, site selection, and relatedmetrics

摘要

Identification of appropriate site characteristics, specific goals linked to meaningful success criteria, and relevant assessment metrics are critical to the success of any restoration effort. An oyster restoration workshop sponsored by South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the NOAA Restoration Center and attended by university, state and federal, and non-governmental restoration practitioners from New Hampshire to Louisiana was held in May 2004 to develop a consensus on which site selection, goal-oriented success criteria, and metrics have merit for or should be applied to future reef restoration projects. Site characteristics identified as important for most restoration efforts irregardless of goals or potential funding restrictions included: (1) primary substrate conditions; (2) water quality; (3) disease status; (4) recruitment dynamics; (5) harvest status; and (6) political issues. A number of goal-oriented criteria appropriate for determining the success of reef restorations were identified and included: (1) establishment of ecologic habitat; (2) improved water quality; (3) increased shoreline stability; (4) educational opportunities; (5) commercial/recreational harvesting; and (6) maintenance of local broodstock. Relevant assessment metrics were identified and ranked based on utility, ease of use, and/or "cost efficiency." Metrics ranged from those commonly applied (e.g., oyster density, oyster size), to those more difficult or infrequently applied (e.g., transient species enumeration, reef topography), to novel or experimental (e.g., in situ fluorometry, BACI, bioassays). A strategy for collaborative efforts, applying the major findings of the workshop in regards to success criteria and assessment metrics across a diverse latitudinal range, was discussed with recommendations being implemented by South Carolina and a subset of collaborators from participating programs where funding allows.