Comments on: Reviewing the Oyster Study in 2010 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764 The Adventure of Discovery Where the Land Meets the Sea Thu, 23 May 2013 16:57:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The New Predator Experiment | http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-39746 The New Predator Experiment | Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:20:45 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-39746 [...] patterns regarding the food web and water-filtration/ nutrient cycling services on oyster reefs (see the 2010 wrap-up). So, now we want to know what’s causing those patterns. Are differences in oyster reefs between [...] [...] patterns regarding the food web and water-filtration/ nutrient cycling services on oyster reefs (see the 2010 wrap-up). So, now we want to know what’s causing those patterns. Are differences in oyster reefs between [...]

]]> By: David http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-17986 David Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:39:24 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-17986 Hey John, thanks for the good questions. First, the pattern of more crabs and less fish leading to fewer and smaller oysters does fit the trophic cascade hypothesis. When you then look at GA/SC and see the opposite pattern...more predatory fishes, less crabs, and more oysters...then the hypothesis is even further supported. However, we see much more oyster recruitment in GA/SC than in the other locations. So, the oyster patterns could also be due to supply-side ecology concepts (more or less larvae), in addition to bottom-up control (more or less phytoplankton food for oysters); we haven't looked at the phytoplankton data yet. So, this is what the year 2 field experiments will help tease apart. We will all be at benthics, so let's talk some more about this then. best, david Hey John,

thanks for the good questions. First, the pattern of more crabs and less fish leading to fewer and smaller oysters does fit the trophic cascade hypothesis. When you then look at GA/SC and see the opposite pattern…more predatory fishes, less crabs, and more oysters…then the hypothesis is even further supported.

However, we see much more oyster recruitment in GA/SC than in the other locations. So, the oyster patterns could also be due to supply-side ecology concepts (more or less larvae), in addition to bottom-up control (more or less phytoplankton food for oysters); we haven’t looked at the phytoplankton data yet.

So, this is what the year 2 field experiments will help tease apart.

We will all be at benthics, so let’s talk some more about this then.

best,
david

]]> By: John Carroll http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-15101 John Carroll Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:13:42 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-15101 Hey David, I wonder if your sites with the more crabs and less predatory fish is the result of a trophic cascade, and curious as to what reasons the northern sites might have less fish (I am going to assume fishing pressure is the same, but I could be wrong)? Another thought - is the larger oysters in SC/GA a result of less predation pressure or better growth rates/conditions? Anyway, I love coming to check out your blog. Hope to run into you guys at benthics! John Hey David,
I wonder if your sites with the more crabs and less predatory fish is the result of a trophic cascade, and curious as to what reasons the northern sites might have less fish (I am going to assume fishing pressure is the same, but I could be wrong)?
Another thought – is the larger oysters in SC/GA a result of less predation pressure or better growth rates/conditions?
Anyway, I love coming to check out your blog.
Hope to run into you guys at benthics!
John

]]> By: Functional Extinction « Chronicles of Zostera http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-4865 Functional Extinction « Chronicles of Zostera Sat, 05 Feb 2011 22:15:54 +0000 http://wfsu.org/blog-coastal-health/?p=1764#comment-4865 [...] Understanding oyster reef ecosystem services are important as researchers and managers move forward in trying to save oysters worldwide.  Oysters have been subject to considerable research, and more recently, a variety of restoration efforts have been conducted in the Chesapeake, Delaware Bay, North Carolina, and, more recently, the Hudson River.  The Hudson River project in particular is focusing on restoration of ecological function and not for the fishery.  In fact, due to their filtration capacity, landscape architects have proposed using oysters in the Greater New York City Area to clean up some highly polluted canals. [...] [...] Understanding oyster reef ecosystem services are important as researchers and managers move forward in trying to save oysters worldwide.  Oysters have been subject to considerable research, and more recently, a variety of restoration efforts have been conducted in the Chesapeake, Delaware Bay, North Carolina, and, more recently, the Hudson River.  The Hudson River project in particular is focusing on restoration of ecological function and not for the fishery.  In fact, due to their filtration capacity, landscape architects have proposed using oysters in the Greater New York City Area to clean up some highly polluted canals. [...]

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