Evidence Library for Oyster Reef Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico
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Duke NICHOLAS INSTITUTE National Ecosystem Services PARTNERSHIP Evidence Library for Oyster Reef Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico Katie Warnell, Rachel Karasik, Sara Mason, Alicia Zhao, Shubhi Sharma, Claudia Sandoval 1 Evidence Library for Oyster Reef Restoration in the Gulf of Mexico http://bit.ly/NI-ES Katie Warnell, Rachel Karasik, Sara Mason, information on the GEMS process, see the Alicia Zhao, Shubhi Sharma, Claudia Sandoval Oyster Reef Restoration Report). The general ESLM is not tied to any particular oyster reef INTRODUCTION restoration technique but represents all of the outcomes from oyster reef restoration that Billions of dollars will be spent on large-scale are dominant—large, tightly linked to oyster restoration of Gulf ecosystems over the coming reef restoration, and important to the local decades, but there is no shared platform to community. The model shows the cascade guide assessment and reporting of restoration of changes that restoration (dark blue box) progress and effectiveness for the broad set causes in the biophysical and social systems of environmental, social, and economic goals (gray boxes), leading to effects on commonly shared by the many institutions working in the measured ecological components (green boxes), Gulf. The diversity of these goals—including human activity outcomes (light blue boxes), habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and socioeconomic outcomes (yellow boxes). marine resource protection, community Downloadable pdf and editable versions of resilience, and economic revitalization— the general ESLM, as well as specific versions means that a variety of metrics are needed to of the ESLM for each oyster reef restoration fully evaluate the effectiveness of restoration technique, are available on the GEMS website. projects. The GEMS (Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Service Logic Models and Socio- The evidence library starting on page five Economic Indicators) project aims to advance contains summaries of the evidence for each of standardized metrics of restoration success the links in the general oyster reef restoration by developing ecosystem service logic models ESLM (Figure 1). Summaries include an (ESLMs) with stakeholders from the five Gulf assessment of the strength of evidence for states, relevant federal agencies, and technical each link; links in Figure 1 are color-coded experts. ESLMs trace the effects of restoration by strength of evidence rating. Each link in strategies as they influence ecological and the model has an identification number. To social systems to create outcomes that are find the evidence library entry for a particular important to people. The use of logic models link, you can click on the link number on the is recommended by the National Academies conceptual model figure or use the search of Science as best practice for monitoring plan function (keyboard shortcut Control + F) and design; these models can provide a practical search for “Link #” (e.g., “Link 3”). and transferable approach for measuring success at different scales. ECOSYSTEM SERVICE LOGIC MODEL FOR OYSTER REEF RESTORATION The general ESLM for oyster reef restoration (Figure 1) was developed through a multistep process with input from oyster restoration experts and local stakeholders as well as through a literature review (for more 2 Figure 1. Ecosystem Service Logic Model for Oyster Reef Restoration, Links Color-Coded By Strength of Evidence Rating. Numbers Correspond to Sections Below. 3 In the ESLM, pathways consist of links that connect the intervention (left) to a socioeconomic outcome (right). Major pathways are those where socioeconomic outcomes are tightly linked to oyster reef restoration (ORR) (i.e., there is a possibility that the outcome would show a noticeable change given an ORR project) (Figure 2). Each link in a major pathway has a moderate to high strength of evidence rating, is considered attributable to ORR (or has few “Other Factors”), and is considered significant based on the evidence and stakeholder input. We highlight five major pathways linking the intervention to the following outcomes: • Adjacent habitat (which can have a range of additional outcomes and can be explored through the ESLMs for these other habitats); • Economic activity in the fishing and oyster harvest industry through oyster harvest (Note: this pathway includes a feedback loop between intermediate outcomes “Oyster population” and “Oyster harvest techniques.” Higher oyster populations in an area can result in increased harvest limits (or new areas open to harvest) and greater use of oyster harvest techniques. Oyster harvest in turn decreases oyster populations and generates economic activity through oyster sales.) • Economic activity in the fishing and oyster harvest industry though non-oyster (fish, other shellfish, etc.) harvest; • Economic activity through the restoration industry; and • Education 4 Figure 2. Ecosystem Service Logic Model for Oyster Reef Restoration, Links Color-Coded by Major Pathways. Numbers Correspond to Sections Below. 5 EVIDENCE LIBRARY FOR OYSTER REEF RESTORATION ESLM The evidence for each link in the oyster reef restoration ESLM (Figure 1) is summarized below. Each evidence summary has the following components: Description of Relationship Short description of the relationship between the starting and ending nodes (boxes), based on the evidence found. Summary of Evidence Overview of the evidence found to support the relationship, including the types of methods used, geographic location, applicability to the Gulf of Mexico context, and major conclusions. Strength of Evidence Rating of the overall strength of evidence for the relationship, based on the following criteria, with a short explanation. Confidence Criteria level Types of evidence Consistency of Methods Applicability results High Multiple Direction and Well-documented and High magnitude accepted of effects are consistent across sources, types of evidence, and contexts Moderate Several Some consistency Some documentation, not Some fully accepted Fair A few Limited Limited documentation, Limited consistency emerging methods Low Limited, Inconsistent Poor documentation or Limited to extrapolations untested none None None N/A N/A N/A Other Factors List of external factors (including biophysical, ecological, and social factors) that influence the relationship between the starting and ending nodes (boxes), how each factor affects the relationship, and the magnitude of the effect, if known. Predictability Evaluation of how predictable a change in the ending node is, given a certain change in the starting node. For example, the relationship between the two nodes may be unpredictable due to influences from external factors or gaps in scientific knowledge. Any models or tools designed to predict the relationship are noted. Sources List of sources for the evidence for this relationship. 6 Link 1: Planting New or Restoring Existing Oyster Reef Oyster Reef Quantity or Quality Description of Relationship Most oyster reef restoration projects directly change the quantity or quality of oyster reefs by adding substrate material. Projects aimed at protecting and enhancing existing reefs may add material or protect reefs so that natural processes that cause reef expansion and other attribute changes can occur. Summary of Evidence The six oyster reef restoration techniques considered in this project represent four major categories in terms of their effect on oyster reef quantity or quality; these four categories are addressed separately in this summary. Placement of oyster substrate to create structurally simple reefs (Technique 1): These projects place loose cultch material (usually oyster shells, relic shells, crushed limestone, or crushed concrete) on the estuary floor to create a flat or “two-dimensional” structure on which oysters can grow. Monitoring reports from oyster restoration sites in Louisiana and Florida confirm that cultch placement projects increase the extent of oyster substrate (Louisiana Natural Resource Trustees 2016, NRDA 2017). However, these reefs are designed to recruit a single age class of oysters; when these oysters are harvested, the majority of oysters on the reef are removed and the reef structure is substantially damaged (for more detail on the effects of harvesting on oyster reef quantity and quality, see Link 29). Field research and modeling show that low reefs expose oysters to poor environmental conditions, resulting in a less healthy oyster community, and are susceptible to burial by sediment, decreasing their long-term viability (Jordan-Cooley et al. 2011; Schulte et al. 2009). Placement of oyster substrate to create structurally complex reefs (Techniques 2, 3, and 4): These projects place large, durable materials (e.g., oyster balls, precast concrete structure, large pieces of limestone) to create a three-dimensional structure to which oysters can attach. The resulting oyster reef has a significant vertical component, resulting in a healthier oyster community due to exposure to better environmental conditions, and is less likely to be buried by sediment (Jordan- Cooley et al. 2011; Schulte et al. 2009). These projects can be placed in subtidal or intertidal areas and can be open or closed to harvest (see Link 29 for discussion of harvesting effects on oyster reef quantity and quality). Metrics related to reef height and structural complexity are not often collected or made available, making it difficult to assess the long-term influence of projects on reef quantity and quality (La Peyre