Joe Marchionno: Naturally occurring oyster reefs are among the most degraded habitats in the world. Offshore intertidal reefs are especially susceptible to the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Seabirds and shorebirds rely on these habitats to provide shoreline stabilization, improved water quality, and forage. Oyster reef restoration can be an important tool for reversing negative impacts to seabirds and shorebirds.This research will investigate the dynamics of restored oyster reefs as they pertain to birds.  
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Collaborators: Christine Angelini, Andrew Altieri, Elise Morrison, Janell Brush, H. Andrew Lassiter 

A pair of Black Skimmers Rynchops Niger feeding fish to their young. Photo: Britt Brown

An early pilot project that helped inform the Lone Cabbage Oyster Reef Restoration Project.

Satellite imagery showing rapid erosion of key breeding site for American Oystercatchers Haematopus Palliatus