Records reveal the vast historical extent of European oyster reef ecosystems

Anthropogenic activities have impacted marine ecosystems at extraordinary scales. Biogenic reef ecosystems built by the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) typically declined prior to scientific monitoring. Collating >1,600 records published over 350 years, we created a highly resolved (10km2) map of historical oyster reef presence across its biogeographic range, including documenting abundant reef habitats along the coasts of France, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Areal extent data were available from just 26% of locations, yet totalled >1.7 million hectares (median reef size = 30ha, range 0.01 - 1,536,000ha), with 190 associated macrofauna species from 13 phyla described. Our analysis demonstrates that oyster reefs were once a dominant three-dimensional feature of European coastlines, with their loss pointing to a fundamental restructuring and ‘flattening’ of coastal and shallow-shelf seafloors. This unique empirical record demonstrates the highly degraded nature of European seas and provides key baseline context for international restoration commitments.

Keyword(s)

Biogenic reef, Ecosystem collapse, environmental history, historical ecology, shifting baselines, Ostrea edulis, shifting baseline

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Preprint - 10.32942/X20W43
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Supplementary Figs. 1–5, Tables 1 and 2, References and statistical source data for the supplementary figures.
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Thurstan Ruth, McCormick Hannah, Preston Joanne, Ashton Elizabeth, Bennema Floris, Bratoš Cetinić Ana, Brown Janet, Cameron Tom, Da Costa Fiz, Donnan David, Ewers Christine, Fortibuoni Tomaso, Galimany Eve, Giovanardi Otello, Grancher Romain, Grech Daniele, Hayden-Hughes Maria, Helmer Luke, Jensen K, Juanes José, Latchford Janie, Moore Alec, Moutopoulos Dimitrios, Nielsen Pernille, von nordheim Henning, Ondiviela Bárbara, Peter Corina, Pogoda Bernadette, Poulsen Bo, Pouvreau Stephane, Roberts Callum, Scherer Cordula, Smaal Aad, Smyth David, Strand Åsa, Theodorou John, Zu Ermgassen Philine (2023). Records reveal the vast historical extent of European oyster reef ecosystems. Nature sustainability. INPRESS. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01441-4, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00866/97806/

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