Using an ecosystem service model to inform restoration planning: A spatially explicit oyster filtration model for Pensacola Bay, Florida
Stakeholder-driven oyster reef restoration in Pensacola Bay uses habitat suitability and filtration models to identify areas where restored reefs can maximize water filtration. The approach supports habitat recovery, fisheries, aquaculture, and ecosystem services while improving restoration planning, management, and community engagement.
Subject Tags
- Ecosystem management
- Habitat restoration
- Reefs
Abstract
The development of science-based restoration goals that reflect the primary motivation of stakeholders is a key factor leading to large-scale, long-term restoration successes. The ability to predict the potential ecosystem service delivery from restoration can inform the setting of appropriate goals and facilitate the strategic planning of restoration activities. While recovery of the ecosystem services provided by oyster reefs is a regularly cited reason for undertaking restoration, few examples exist where large-scale oyster habitat restoration plans have been informed using ecosystem service functions. Such an approach is currently being implemented in the Pensacola Bay System, Florida, where a broad coalition of partners and community stakeholders are utilizing a watershed approach to restoring oysters with the aim of restoring oysters for multiple objectives including habitat, ecosystem services, and wild harvest and aquaculture. Through the process of developing a habitat management plan, water filtration was identified as a key ecosystem service by the stakeholders. To support restoration planning we derived a spatially explicit estimate of water filtration services provided by the eastern oyster in the Pensacola Bay system by linking an oyster habitat suitability map to a hydrodynamic-oyster filtration model. This spatially explicit model allowed us to identify the areas where restored oyster reefs have the potential to provide the greatest increase in filtration service as well as provide spatially explicit estimates of the potential filtration provided by oyster habitat restored. Such information is useful in restoration planning and management and for stakeholder engagement, outreach, and education programs.
Citation
Zu Ermgassen, P.S., Gair, J.R., Jarvis, B., Geselbracht, L., Birch, A., Scheffel, W.A., Smith, K. and DeAngelis, B., 2024. Using an ecosystem service model to inform restoration planning: A spatially explicit oyster filtration model for Pensacola Bay, Florida. Conservation science and practice, 6(2), p.e13061. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.13061
TNC Authors
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Laura Geselbracht
Senior Marine Scientist, Florida
The Nature Conservancy
Email: l.geselbracht@tnc.org -
Anne Birch
Florida Ocean and Coasts Strategy Director
The Nature Conservancy
Email: abirch@tnc.org -
Bryan DeAngelis
Lead Ocean Scientist, California
The Nature Conservancy
Email: bdeangelis@tnc.org