Can Ecosystem Transformations by Non-Indigenous Mussel Introductions Inform Shellfish Reef Restoration?

Alan Cottingham; Rachel Newsome; Chris Gillies; James R. Tweedley

doi:10.3390/jmse13030441

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Can Ecosystem Transformations by Non-Indigenous Mussel Introductions Inform Shellfish Reef Restoration?

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Can Ecosystem Transformations by Non-Indigenous Mussel Introductions Inform Shellfish Reef Restoration?

Alan Cottingham, Rachel Newsome, Chris Gillies and James R. Tweedley

Journal of marine science and engineering, Vol.13(3), 441

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13030441

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Abstract

ecosystem functioning

benthic communities

restoration goals

Shellfish reefs were once common features in temperate coastal waters and estuaries. However, anthropogenic impacts have resulted in significant declines in these ecosystems globally. Whilst a growing body of scientific literature and restoration projects have demonstrated the success of restoration using oysters, at both local and ecosystem-wide scales, restoration initiatives using mussels are relatively new. Due to the lack of long-term data on the ecological impact of restored mussel reefs, information to assist restoration practitioners in identifying potential positive and negative outcomes is limited. However, introductions of mussels have occurred on every continent, and detailed documentation exists on their impacts on local ecosystems. Such information is thus invaluable as these long-term studies can contribute knowledge on predicting ecosystem changes following mussel introductions. Through compiling information derived from 318 published articles, unplanned mussel introductions were found to have both positive and negative impacts, and these were context- and species-specific. In eutrophic water bodies, the impacts were typically considered positive, particularly on shallow-water benthic communities. It was also found, however, that mussels can reduce zooplankton biomass, impact native mussels and were occasionally implicated in increasing cyanobacteria concentrations. Despite these instances, this review presented multiple lines of evidence that mussel introductions, when undertaken intentionally at suitable locations, would have a considerable positive impact at the ecosystem-wide scale.

Details

Title: Can Ecosystem Transformations by Non-Indigenous Mussel Introductions Inform Shellfish Reef Restoration?
Authors/Creators: Alan Cottingham - Murdoch University
Rachel Newsome - Murdoch University
Chris Gillies
James R. Tweedley - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Journal of marine science and engineering, Vol.13(3), 441
Publisher: MDPI; BASEL
Number of pages: 18
Identifiers: 991005753258107891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.1002 Bivalve Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Marine; Engineering, Ocean; Oceanography
ESI research areas: Geosciences