Biodegradable Restoration Materials Support Bird Populations on Oyster Reefs

By Tara Blanchard and Linda Walters

University of Central Florida

Coastal and Estuarine Ecology Lab

Image recorded by trail camera

Oyster reefs play an important role in coastal ecosystems, offering shelter and feeding grounds for a wide range of wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. However, these reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate across the globe. As oyster populations continue to decline worldwide, restoring these reefs has become increasingly important.

To help rebuild these vital ecosystems, researchers from the University of Central Florida have turned to biodegradable oyster reef restoration materials as an alternative to traditional plastic materials. These new materials have shown great success in recruiting oysters, but their impacts on other wildlife, such as threatened and endangered birds, have remained unclear. 

A newly published study in the peer-reviewed journal Restoration Ecology explored this question in Mosquito Lagoon. UCF researchers deployed wildlife trail cameras on oyster reefs that were restored with different types of materials. These included biodegradable mats with attached oyster shells and structures made from a mixture of cement and natural fibers. Over the course of 117 days, these cameras recorded 10,810 birds representing 41 species, including six threatened species: the American oystercatcher, reddish egret, tricolored heron, little blue heron, least tern, and wood stork.

This study found that all restoration material types supported bird abundance at levels similar to those observed on healthy, intact oyster reefs. Restored reefs also matched healthy ones in terms of bird species diversity, and many offered comparable foraging habitat. Additionally, larger reefs tended to attract more birds.

Bird abundance peaked during the winter months, with 1,365 American white pelicans recorded. This highlights Mosquito Lagoon’s importance as a seasonal refuge for migratory birds. The cameras also captured 62 mammals, including raccoons, small rodents, river otters, and a bobcat.

Overall, the study shows that biodegradable restoration materials not only help rebuild oyster populations but also support the broader communities of wildlife that rely on oyster reefs for habitat.