Oyster reef restoration to boost reproduction & survival
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have undertaken the largest oyster reef restoration project outside the United States in the coastal waters of Gulf St Vincent, near Ardrossan in South Australia.
18,000 tonnes of limestone and 7 million baby oysters set to provide the initial foundations for a 20-hectare reef.
This honours project explores the restoration of oyster reefs by trailing techniques to boost reproduction and survival.
Today, oyster populations are at less than 1% of their pre-colonial extent in Australia. Globally it is estimated that 85% of oyster habitat has been lost in the past few centuries, making it one of the most exploited marine habitats in the world.
The restoration project in Gulf St Vincent aims to pull our native mud oyster back from the brink of extinction in the wild, and restore a forgotten ecosystem that once teemed with marine life.
Save our oceans - study wildlife and restoration ecology
Great science leaves people engaged, admiring, and wanting more. Help us restore native oysters reef that once rivalled coral reefs or figure out how to we can adapt marine life to ocean change. Your honours experience will figure out how marine life best responds by experimenting in tanks, or making observations on snorkel or SCUBA dives.
You’ll work with employers from private industry and government. You’ll be supported by international NGOs and large private donors. Some travel is required as we watch how marine life responds to ocean acidification and marine heatwaves around South Pacific Islands and our Gulfs.
You’ll use creativity not only to bring accurate information that is lucid in its meaning, but also creates an interesting experience as student and value for its funder.
Supervisor
Research area: Save our oceans - wildlife & restoration ecology
Recommended honours enrolment: Honours in Ecology and Environmental Science