This project aims to investigate ecological barriers to the recovery of functionally extinct Sydney Rock Oyster reefs on Australia’s east coast and restoration methods to reinstate their key ecosystem services.
This project expects to create new knowledge for designing functional reefs by integrating physiology, population, community and landscape ecology.
Expected outcomes are an ecological decision framework for effective oyster reef restoration that can be integrated into management and policy. This project should provide significant benefits, such as the development of key strategic alliances to enhance management of estuaries, and re-establish the environmental, economic and social benefits of oyster reefs. This is a large collaborative program including several Sydney universities, government and conservation agencies.