Study

The potential for created oyster shell reefs as a sustainable shoreline protection strategy in Louisiana

  • Published source details Piazza B.P., Banks P.D., & (2005) The potential for created oyster shell reefs as a sustainable shoreline protection strategy in Louisiana. Restoration Ecology, 13, 499-506.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Build barriers to protect littoral brackish/salt marshes from rising water levels and severe weather

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Build barriers to protect littoral brackish/salt marshes from rising water levels and severe weather

    A replicated, randomized, paired, controlled study in 2002–2003 of brackish marsh around a lake in Louisiana, USA (Piazza et al. 2005) found that installing offshore oyster shell reefs reduced the rate of shoreline retreat, but had no significant effect on vegetation cover or biomass within the marshes. Over one year, the rate at which the vegetated shoreline receded was lower for marshes behind oyster shell reefs (8 cm/month) than for unprotected marshes (12 cm/month). Over the year, vegetation cover and above-ground vegetation biomass were statistically similar in marshes behind oyster shell reefs and in unprotected marshes (data not reported). Methods: The study used twelve sections of shoreline (six in a high-energy area, six in a low-energy area) around one coastal lake. All had brackish marsh landward. Oyster shell reefs (25 m long and exposed at low tide) were deposited <5 m offshore of six random sections (three high-energy, three low-energy). The other six sections were left unprotected. Vegetation was surveyed for one year after reefs were installed: three measurements/section/month for shoreline position (i.e. edge of marsh vegetation); nine 1-m2 quadrats/section/month for cover of each plant species; three 0.25-m2 quadrats/section/quarter for biomass (vegetation cut, dried and weighed).

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust