Project

Assessment of Eastern Oyster Filtration Rates

Full Title: Assessment of ecologically relevant (in situ) eastern oyster filtration rates as ecosystem services: influence of seston composition and inundation rates
In response to stakeholder concerns for local ecosystem health, UF scientists partnered with GTMNERR to launch the GNBBP in 2021, aiming to understand bivalve filtration services. Given the variability in filtration rates observed in laboratory experiments with eastern oysters, a one-year fellowship was sought to conduct in-situ studies to elucidate spatiotemporal conditions in the Guana River Estuary, offering ecologically relevant insights for the GNBBP.
Lead Investigator: KRISTIE PEREZ [email protected], Dr. Shirely Baker Professor, Molluscan Biology and Aquaculture Florida SeaGrant Affiliate Faculty [email protected]
Project Team: Angelini Lab, Community Ecology & Environmental Engineering Bisesi Lab, Environmental Toxicology Dr. Geraldine Klarenberg, Quantitative Data Science Phlips Lab, Phycology Reisinger & Smyth Labs, Soil and Water Sciences Dr. Nia Morales, Conservation Social Science
Collaborator: FWC, NERRS, Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Water Quality Task Force
Award Amount: $25,000
Year Funded: 2023
Award Period: 2/1/23 – 1/31/23
Project Abstract:

UF scientists, in partnership with the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) and driven by stakeholder concern for local ecosystem health, kicked-off the Guana Nutrient Budgets and Bivalves Project (GNBBP) in 2021. A component of this work includes laboratory experiments with local bivalves to understand the range for filtration services performed. Experiments to date reflect a high degree of variability in the filtration rates for the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, a topic already of great debate within literature. To add ecological relevance and further our understanding of bivalve ecosystem services, I propose a one-year fellowship to extend my current research to include an in situ study of C. virginica filtration rate exploring their interactions with the phytoplankton community in detail. I expect in situ data to reflect lower variability and provide insight into the spatiotemporal conditions of the Guana River Estuary with ecologically relevant explanations for differences observed. The two studies, lab and field, will be joined using flow cytometry to calibrate the results such that the two can be directly compared. In situ studies of oyster filtration in subtropical regions are few. Further, this will provide ecologically relevant inputs for the GNBBP.

A no cost extension was granted through 9/14/24.  Additional time is needed to complete fieldwork and analyze samples/data.

 

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