{"id":44444,"date":"2024-12-05T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3ebfad0d-6c81-4687-8d0e-13052374194e"},"modified":"2024-12-05T11:27:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T10:27:24","slug":"europes-native-oyster-ecosystems-have-collapsed-heres-what-that-means-for-the-ocean","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/europes-native-oyster-ecosystems-have-collapsed-heres-what-that-means-for-the-ocean\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe’s native oyster ecosystems have collapsed. Here’s what that means for the ocean"},"content":{"rendered":"

The oyster reefs once covered an area larger than Greater London, but now they’re only found alone or in small clusters, say experts. <\/p>

By Melissa Hobson\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 05 December 2024 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

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Researchers have revealed that Europe\u2019s native oyster reefs \u2013 the continent\u2019s equivalent of tropical coral reefs \u2013 have been so damaged by human impacts that they are now considered \u2018collapsed\u2019, according to the IUCN\u2019s\u00a0Red List of Ecosystems<\/a>\u00a0criteria.<\/strong><\/p>

The European native oyster<\/a>\u00a0(Ostrea edulis<\/em>) \u2013 also called the European flat oyster \u2013 is the only true oyster species native to UK waters. The new assessment, led by\u00a0ZSL (Zoological Society of London)<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0University of Edinburgh<\/a>, has revealed that these oyster reefs were once vast habitats that could grow as large as a football pitch; they were bustling habitats for many species, covering more than 1.7 million hectares of European waters \u2013 that\u2019s larger than Greater London.\u00a0<\/p>

One of the last areas of known native oyster habitat, located off the West Coast of Ireland\/Dr Jose M. Fari\u00f1as-Franco <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

Today, as a result of overfishing, pollution, and other human impacts, there is almost nothing left of these once-thriving ecosystems. The paper, which has been published in the journal\u00a0Conservation Letters<\/em>, found most oyster reefs in Europe are scattered and degraded, with oysters found alone or in small clusters.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cThe ecosystem has been lost from living memory, and the benefits it provided have only just been realised now it is almost too late,\u201d says Alison Debney, ZSL Conservation Lead, Wetland Ecosystem Restoration and co-founder of the Native Oyster Network UK & Ireland.<\/p>

Oyster reefs play an important role in keeping the ocean healthy. As the oysters settle, one on top of another, they create nooks and crannies for other animals to call home. Over time, the reef becomes a thriving ecosystem full of fish, crabs, shrimp and other critters. Even birds, like oystercatchers<\/a>, benefit from feeding on the oysters.\u00a0<\/p>

\"One
Oyster reefs play an important role in keeping the ocean healthy, providing a home for numerous other marine animals\/Dr Jose M. Fari\u00f1as-Franco <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

With the loss of these oysters, all these animals are impacted too. \u201cPossibly even more stark [than the collapse of the oysters] is the loss of biodiversity that preyed or lived on these reefs and the organisms that inhabited them,\u201d says Joanne Preston, Professor of Marine Biology, University of Portsmouth and co-founder of the\u00a0Native Oyster Network UK & Ireland<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

Oysters are filter-feeders that sieve tiny particles from the water to eat, which keeps the water clean \u2013 one adult oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water each day. They also provide food and livelihoods for local communities and protect the coastline from strong waves and storm impacts.\u00a0<\/p>

The researchers hope this shocking news will prompt decision-makers to think about what else can be done to bring our oceans back to their previous state. \u201cThe stark contrast between the modern-day flat seabed and historical data must act as a wake-up call for action to restore the once-thriving marine environments,\u201d says Debney.<\/p>

\u201cWe were shocked by our findings,\u201d says Dr Philine zu Ermgassen of the University of Edinburgh who believes current restoration efforts alone aren\u2019t enough to bring native oyster reefs back to their original level of health. \u201cTrue ecosystem recovery requires systemic processes and sustainable financing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

Although\u00a0restoration<\/a>\u00a0projects aren\u2019t a quick fix, because oyster reefs take a long time to regenerate, Debney has hope as long as European decision-makers take significant steps to restore oyster beds. \u201cGiven time and space, nature can recover,\u201d she says.<\/p>

\"Europe\u2019s
\u00a0“True ecosystem recovery requires systemic processes and sustainable financing,\u201d says Dr Philine zu Ermgassen, who believes current restoration efforts alone aren\u2019t enough to bring native oyster reefs back to their original level of health\/Stephane Pouvreau, IFREMER <\/figcaption> <\/figure>

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