Restoration Ecology 2013: Overview of the project

Though it has been a while since I posted last, I will do my best to catch up on what we have been working on. I am in the Benthic Fauna group and we are working to see the differences in species richness and diversity of invertebrates. Three sampling methods were used to analyze and compare species diversity and abundance of benthic organisms between a restored and non-restored sites along the Tolomato River: sediment cores, fiddler crab burrow transects and settlement trays.
The first sampling method we chose to deploy was to take core samples behind the reefs, between the reefs and in designated spots along the non-restored coastlines where the settlement trays were to be located (75m, 110m,and 145m from the restored coastline) . With this the overall productivity of the sediment near the settlement trays was able to be assessed.

Another method that was used to try to quantify the oyster reef’s effects on its ecosystem is that of counting the burrows of fiddler crabs in multiple sites along a transect in both restored and non-restored systems.

Finally the last sampling method utilized was that of settlement trays. Three settlement trays were used for both the restored site and non-restored site. The first thing done with the trays was to identify and measure the benthic invertebrates using the synthetic reef as habitat. We used a sieve to separate the invertebrates from the oyster. Then these organisms were collected and frozen to later be worked up in the lab. As well, the settlement trays will be used to analyze spat settlement. Measurements of spat settlements will be taken using oysters in the settlement trays that were attached to bricks.