| Summary: | Oyster beds provide important habitat for numerous organisms and are indicators of a healthy estuary. Changes in the spatial extent and health of oyster beds in southeast Florida estuaries are key performance measures that will help assess the success of CERP. Five aspects of oyster ecology are being monitored; condition (as measured by condition index), spatial and size distribution patterns of adult oysters, distribution and frequency patterns of the oyster diseases Perkinsus marinus (dermo) and (on the east coast only) Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX), reproduction and recruitment and juvenile oyster growth and survival. A baseline for oysters in each estuary is being established by mapping the existing distribution of reefs/beds, and density of living oysters (per square meter). Historical distributions, where available are being used to assist in identifying areas which may have suitable habitat conditions for reestablishment, given predictive changes in the salinity regime. At five year intervals during CERP implementation, a map of the area including size distribution, density of living oysters, and height of the oyster reef, whenever possible, will be prepared. The main objectives of this study are: (1) To set up long term program for monitoring oysters in the Caloosahatchee Estuary; (2) Determine if the restoration of beneficial patterns of freshwater inflow, salinity and water quality to the Caloosahatchee Estuary will achieve the expected distribution, community structure and viability of oysters; and (3) To identify areas suitable for the development and therefore potential restoration of oyster reefs.
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