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Hitching a ride on Hercules: fatal epibiosis drives ecosystem change from mud banks to oyster reefs
Author(s) -
McLeod Ian M.,
HellerWagner Gideon,
Gillies Chris,
Boström-Einarsson Lisa,
Dwyer Patrick G.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1002/ecy.3032
Subject(s) - oyster , reef , ecology , ecosystem , ecosystem engineer , biology , fishery
Best known as a 'love them or hate them' luxury food, or for their pearls, oysters are also ecosystem engineers, forming vast oyster reefs. Oyster reefs provide habitat for a myriad of species, and support fisheries, improve water quality and provide coastal protection. These services are estimated to be worth US$5500-$99,000 per hectare per year (Grabowski et al. 2012).