Interspecific facilitation, elevation, and site influence survival and growth for intertidal Ostrea angasi restoration

Abstract

Introduction: The flat oyster Ostrea angasi previously formed extensive reefs throughout temperate regions of Australia. These reefs were overharvested and destroyed after European colonization and have been functionally extinct for >150 years. While large-scale subtidal O. angasi restoration has occurred, there are no intertidal restoration attempts despite historical occurrence. Further, while facilitative relationships with subtidal foundation species have been explored, intertidal species have received little consideration. Objectives and Methods: We investigated the feasibility of intertidal restoration by testing O. angasi survival and growth across intertidal elevations spanning the s..