Author(s): Fengze Zhao; Dekui Yuan; Xiaofu Xu; Yuanyi Li
Linked Author(s): Dekui Yuan
Keywords: Oyster Reef Crassostrea gigas Human activity Environmental factor Reclamation
Abstract: As an important ecosystem in the coastal zone, oyster reefs can improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, increase fishery production, protect coastlines and sequester carbon. As the northernmost living oyster reef in China, Tianjin Dashentang Oyster Reef which is dominated by Crassostrea gigas has been degraded by more than 90% since 1980 due to human activities. However, thanks to government protection and restoration efforts, oyster reef has been partially restored, though its development shows uneven spatial distribution. This paper utilized field data, satellite remote sensing and numerical simulation results to identify key natural environmental factors affecting the spatial heterogeneity evolution of oyster reefs before and after the large-scale reclamation projects. The spatiotemporal distribution of oyster reefs has been summarized in the past two decades and the evolution was divided into three stages: the pre-reclamation period, reclamation period and post-reclamation protection and development period. During the reclamation stage, the destruction and extinction of oyster reefs were accelerated by high-intensity construction, accompanied by environmental deterioration. In the pre-reclamation and post-reclamation period, suspended sediment concentration and water quality had no significant influence on the evolution of oyster reefs. The changes in the local dynamic environment caused by reclamation may reduce the recruitment of oyster larvae, which requires further investigation. The results of this paper enhance the understanding of oyster reef evolution and provide a scientific basis for the restoration and protection of oyster reefs in this area and similar regions.
Year: 2025