Interdisciplinary Monitoring of An Oyster Reef Restoration.

It is well-known that the decline of oysters nationwide has profoundly changed the ecology of intertidal zones.  However, the deterioration of the physical reef structures has also likely dramatically changed the geomorphology and biogeochemistry of this system due to altered flow patterns, increased erosion, and reduced filtration of particulate matter.  Our project seeks to measure changes in the marsh topography and sediment characteristics before and after installation of the artificial reef in order to understand how oyster reef restoration may affect organic matter and erosion and sedimentation in this critical coastal ecosystem.