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The Use of Non-Plastic Materials for Oyster Reef and Shoreline Restoration: Understanding What Is Needed and Where the Field Is Headed

Author

Listed:
  • Linda J. Walters

    (Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Annie Roddenberry

    (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32301, USA)

  • Chelsey Crandall

    (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32301, USA)

  • Jessy Wayles

    (Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169, USA)

  • Melinda Donnelly

    (Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

  • Savanna C. Barry

    (Florida Sea Grant, Nature Coast Biological Station, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, USA)

  • Mark W. Clark

    (Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, 2181 McCarty Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Olivia Escandell

    (Brevard Zoo, 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940, USA)

  • Jennifer C. Hansen

    (Brevard County Natural Resources, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Melbourne, FL 32940, USA)

  • Katie Laakkonen

    (Natural Resources Division, City of Naples, 295 Riverside Circle, Naples, FL 34102, USA)

  • Paul E. Sacks

    (Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816, USA)

Abstract

Oyster and shoreline restoration is occurring around the globe to recover lost ecosystem services. In the state of Florida, USA, dozens of estuarine habitat restoration projects are underway. These projects have traditionally relied on both natural and man-made materials, including plastics. As the impacts of plastics on marine ecosystems are better understood, practitioners are increasingly focused on plastic-free restoration. To better understand this transition, we surveyed Florida restoration practitioners in April 2021 to capture current non-plastic restoration project trends and their status. Our descriptive survey goals were to understand: (1) what non-plastic materials have been tested, (2) trade-offs between plastic and non-plastic materials (e.g., cost, sourcing, volunteer engagement), and (3) the performance of non-plastic materials. Responses indicated that a variety of non-plastic materials are currently being used, including rock, cement-infused jute structures, cement Reef Balls™ (Reef Ball Foundation, USA), BESE-elements ® , and metal gabions. Overall, these materials are more expensive and equally or more difficult to install than previously popular plastic-based materials. No “best” non-plastic material emerged from our survey in part because many novel materials have been deployed for under three years. Long-term performance under a variety of abiotic and biotic conditions is thus a future research priority.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda J. Walters & Annie Roddenberry & Chelsey Crandall & Jessy Wayles & Melinda Donnelly & Savanna C. Barry & Mark W. Clark & Olivia Escandell & Jennifer C. Hansen & Katie Laakkonen & Paul E. Sacks, 2022. "The Use of Non-Plastic Materials for Oyster Reef and Shoreline Restoration: Understanding What Is Needed and Where the Field Is Headed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:8055-:d:853818
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chelsea K. Nitsch & Linda J. Walters & Joshua S. Sacks & Paul E. Sacks & Lisa G. Chambers, 2021. "Biodegradable Material for Oyster Reef Restoration: First-Year Performance and Biogeochemical Considerations in a Coastal Lagoon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-21, July.
    2. Jessica L. Copertino & Katherine Harris & Lyndsey Chute & Linda J. Walters, 2022. "Impact of Oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) Reef Restoration on Benthic Invertebrates and Coastal Birds in a Subtropical Estuary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-22, February.
    3. Rebecca M. Fillyaw & Melinda J. Donnelly & Jason W. Litwak & Julia L. Rifenberg & Linda J. Walters, 2021. "Strategies for Successful Mangrove Living Shoreline Stabilizations in Shallow Water Subtropical Estuaries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Jennifer M. H. Loch & Linda J. Walters & Melinda L. Donnelly & Geoffrey S. Cook, 2021. "Restored Coastal Habitat Can “Reel In” Juvenile Sportfish: Population and Community Responses in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-22, November.
    5. Nicholas E. Ray & Robinson W. Fulweiler, 2021. "Meta-analysis of oyster impacts on coastal biogeochemistry," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(3), pages 261-269, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Hunter Mathews & Mohammad J. Uddin & Craig W. Hargis & Kelly J. Smith, 2023. "First-Year Performance of the Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat (POSH) along Two Energetic Shorelines in Northeast Florida," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, April.

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