Showing papers by "Charles H. Peterson published in 2009"
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of 94 oyster reefs (88 constructed, 6 natural) within 11 no-harvest sanctuaries in estuaries of central and northern North Carolina, USA, was conducted to evaluate the success of oyster reef conservation.
Abstract: Dramatic declines in populations of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica are a symp- tom of degradation in many US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico estuaries. We sampled 94 oyster reefs (88 constructed, 6 natural) within 11 no-harvest sanctuaries in estuaries of central and northern North Carolina, USA, to evaluate the success of oyster sanctuaries as a conservation tool. The sanctuaries have been in existence from 3 to 30 yr; 10 sanctuaries protect constructed ('restored') oyster reefs and 1 sanctuary protects natural reefs. Measurements of vertical relief, live oyster density, recruitment, abundance of market-sized oysters, and biomass as well as disease prevalence and severity indicated that 7 of the 11 sanctuaries met criteria for minimal success by having vertical relief >20 cm in height, living oysters (>10 oysters m -2 ), and evidence of recent recruitment in 1 of 2 yr of the survey. Most reefs within the 7 sanctuaries far surpassed these relatively low benchmarks. For reefs that failed, burial by sedimentation appeared to be the primary cause in 2 sanctuaries, poor water quality (low dissolved oxygen) in 1, and poor oyster recruitment in another. All intertidal reefs were successful and had significantly higher densities of all size categories of live oysters (spat, adult, marketable size) than subtidal oyster reefs. Disease prevalence and severity were low in sanctuary reefs despite high oyster densities and increased longevity of oysters on these reefs. Pronouncements that restora- tion of the native eastern oyster is a failure prove incorrect when a decade-long history of oyster reef sanctuaries is evaluated. The proposed introduction of a non-native oyster into the US Atlantic coast estuaries cannot be justified by claiming failure of native oyster restoration in light of promising suc- cesses within sanctuaries.
183 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the Neuse River Estuary in North Carolina, USA has been used as a reference domain for the use of ecological network analysis for functional assessment of aquatic ecosystems in the context of ecosystem-based management.
63 citations
TL;DR: It is found that spawner sanctuaries inside stockades could be used to concentrate and protect adult scallops during a time when they are susceptible to ray predation, and spat collector bags proved effective not only in gathering scallop spat but serving as nurseries for juvenile scAllop grow-out.
Abstract: Historically depressed bay scallop populations in North Carolina have retained some capacity to replenish themselves. However, continued abnormally high predation by cownose rays, and growing degradation of seagrass beds may limit bay scallop population recovery. We modified existing methods for protecting spawning adult scallops from cownose rays (stockades) and enhancing scallop set (spat collectors in the natural habitat and in managed shore-side ponds) to determine whether the population growth of bay scallops could be enhanced. We found, with one important exception, that spawner sanctuaries inside stockades could be used to concentrate and protect adult scallops during a time when they are susceptible to ray predation. Spat collector bags proved effective not only in gathering scallop spat but serving as nurseries for juvenile scallop grow-out. The results from our pond experiments were mixed: spat collector bags did not do well in the pond, but an alternative collector design holds promise...
17 citations
TL;DR: The asymmetry in influence of legacy individuals suggests that productivity enhancement may outweigh potential physiological stress in setting limits to distributions of vent invertebrates, which contrasts with theory developed in the rocky intertidal that predicts the predominance of physical control at the high-stress end of an environmental gradient.
Abstract: Dramatic perturbations of ecological communi- ties through rapid shifts in environmental regime do not always result in complete mortality of residents. Instead, legacy individuals may remain and inXuence the succession and composition of subsequent communities. We used a reciprocal transplant experiment to investigate whether a legacy eVect is detectable in communities experiencing an abrupt increase or decrease in hydrothermal Xuid Xux at deep-sea vents. Vent habitats are characterized by strong gradients in productivity and physico-chemical stressors, both of which tend to increase with increasing vent Xuid Xux. In our experiments, many species survived transplan- tation from cool (water temperatures <2°C above ambient) to warm (4-30°C above ambient) habitats, resulting in sig- niWcantly higher species richness on transplanted than remaining experimental substrata. A legacy eVect was much less apparent in transplantation from warm to cool habitat, although a few vestimentiferan tubeworms, nor- mally restricted to warm habitat, survived transplantation. The asymmetry in inXuence of legacy individuals suggests that productivity enhancement may outweigh potential physiological stress in setting limits to distributions of vent invertebrates. This inXuence of biological processes contrasts with theory developed in the rocky intertidal that predicts the predominance of physical control at the high- stress end of an environmental gradient. Prediction of successional transitions in vents and other habitats experi- encing regime shifts in which remnant species may survive must take into account the possible inXuence of historical
12 citations
TL;DR: Results indicate that whereas at high salinity sites grow- out from a 27-mm deployment size is typically achieved within 5 mo, at medium salinity Sites >7 mo is required, and suitability of C. ariakensis for sale on the high-valued half-shell market may be contingent on completion of grow-out before summer Polydora spp.
Abstract: The proposed introduction of the nonnative Suminoe oyster Crassostrea ariakensis to the east coast of the United States to restore the wild oyster fishery and/or for commercial aquaculture is contingent on perceived benefits outweighing costs. Trials conducted at six sites distributed across North Carolina evaluated the likely biologic success of aquaculture of C. ariakensis by assessing the oyster's growth, mortality and fouling under alternative methods and seasons of deployment. Of the six sites at which oysters were deployed, growth of C. ariakensis was greatest at the high-salinity sites, Hoop Pole Creek (29–32 ppt) and Newport River (25–30 ppt) and lowest at the low-salinity site, Nags Head (4 ppt). Across sites, growth was consistently lower (by 50%) in suspended floats than in fixed racks held 15 cm off the bottom. Only on the muddiest sediments (Newport River), where growth in tissue mass was 50% greater and growth in shell mass 20% greater on raised than bottom racks, did growth differ ...
10 citations
TL;DR: The Suminoe oyster is considered by consumers in eastern North Carolina to be a close substitute for the native oyster, and might serve as a successful substitution for the lost fishery resource of the native Oyster.
Abstract: The Suminoe oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis, is currently under consideration for introduction to the Chesapeake Bay for aquaculture and to restore lost fishery resources once provided by the native Eastern oyster. To assess the suitability of the Suminoe oyster for substitution into native oyster markets, we provided whole triploid oysters for home cooking to consumers in coastal North Carolina and asked them to complete a survey on qualities of the Suminoe oyster. Participants reported the frequency with which they would consume the oyster inside and outside of the existing oyster season, how they would consume the oyster and the price they might be prepared to pay for the Suminoe oyster relative to the native oyster. Because participants prepared the Suminoe oysters themselves, consumer evaluations incorporated not only attributes of the oyster meat but also the ease with which the oysters could be shucked and prepared. Consumers rated the Suminoe oyster's aroma, appearance, texture and flavor ...
8 citations