https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps341303">
 

Jackson Estuarine Laboratory

Abstract

The importance of restoring filter-feeders, such as the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, to mitigate the effects of eutrophication (e.g. in Chesapeake Bay) is currently under debate. The argument that bivalve molluscs alone cannot control phytoplankton blooms and reduce hypoxia oversimplifies a more complex issue, namely that ecosystem engineering species make manifold contributions to ecosystem services. Although further discussion and research leading to a more complete understanding is required, oysters and other molluscs (e.g. mussels) in estuarine ecosystems provide services far beyond the mere top-down control of phytoplankton blooms, such as (1) seston filtration, (2) benthic–pelagic coupling, (3) creation of refugia from predation, (4) creation of feeding habitat for juveniles and adults of mobile species, and for sessile stages of species that attach to molluscan shells, and (5) provision of nesting habitat.

Publication Date

7-4-2007

Journal Title

Marine Ecology Progress Series

Publisher

Inter-Research Science Publisher

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps341303

Document Type

Article

Comments

This is an article published by Inter-Research Science Center in Marine Ecology Progress Series, in 2007, available online: https://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps341303

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