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Effects of freshwater release on oyster reef density, reproduction, and disease in a highly modified estuary

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Abstract

Few estuaries remain unaffected by water management and altered freshwater deliveries. The Caloosahatchee River Estuary is a perfect case study for assessing the impact of altered hydrology on natural oyster reef (Crassostrea virginica) populations. The watershed has been highly modified and greatly enlarged by an artificial connection to Lake Okeechobee. Accordingly, to generate data to support water management recommendations, this study monitored various oyster biometrics over 15 years along the primary salinity gradient. Oyster reef densities were significantly affected by both prolonged high volume freshwater releases creating hyposaline conditions at upstream sites and by a lack of freshwater input creating hypersaline conditions at downstream sites. Low freshwater input led to an increase in disease caused by Perkinsus marinus and predation. Moderate (< 2000 cfs) and properly timed (winter/spring) freshets benefited oysters with increased gametogenesis, good larval mixing, and a reprieve from disease. If high volume freshets occurred in the late summer, extensive mortality occurred at the upstream site due to low salinity. These findings suggest freshwater releases in the late summer, when reproductive stress is at its peak and pelagic larvae are most vulnerable, should be limited to < 2000 cfs, but that longer freshets (1–3 weeks) in the winter and early spring (e.g., December–April) benefit oysters by reducing salinity and lessening disease intensity. Similar strategies can be employed in other managed systems, and patterns regarding the timing of high volume flows are applicable to all estuaries where the management of healthy oyster reefs is a priority.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded through a grant from the RECOVER Program and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD; award #460000227). We are grateful to Ms. Darlene Marley for her assistance with data management. Flow data was generously provided by Ms. Kathy Haunert (SFWMD). Many people helped with the field and laboratory work associated with this project. First and foremost, we thank our laboratory managers, Ms. Erin Rasnake, Ms. Lacey Rains, Ms. Lindsay Castret, and Ms. Nicole Haas for their dedication, hard work, planning, and help with both field and laboratory tasks. Ms. Christal Niemeyer and Mr. Timothy Bryant were invaluable in providing logistical support. We are also indebted to many undergraduate and graduate students. Without their help and dedication, this project would not have been possible. Lastly, we would like to thank comments from three anonymous reviewers who provided valuable feedback during the review process.

Funding

This project was funded through a grant from the RECOVER Program and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD; award #460000227).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FGCU Boulevard, Vester Marine Field Station and Coastal Watershed Institute, Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501, Fort Myers, FL, 33965, USA

    Katherine McFarland, Darren Rumbold, Ai Ning Loh, Lesli Haynes, S. Gregory Tolley, Patricia Goodman & Aswani K. Volety

  2. NOAA Fisheries NEFSC, Milford Laboratory, CT, Milford, 06460, USA

    Katherine McFarland

  3. Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina, Wilmington 601 South College Rd, Wilmington, NC, 28403, USA

    Ai Ning Loh & Aswani K. Volety

  4. Lee County Natural Resources – Marine Services, 1500 Monroe St. Ft, Myers, FL, 33965, USA

    Lesli Haynes

  5. South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL, 33406, USA

    Patricia Gorman, Barbara Welch & Peter H. Doering

  6. United States Army Installation Management Command DPW – Presidio of Monterey, B4463 Gigling Rd, Seaside, CA, 93955, USA

    Patricia Goodman

  7. NOAA National Ocean Service National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, 101 Pivers Island Rd, Beaufort, NC, 28516, USA

    Tomma K. Barnes

  8. Université de Brest, UBO, CNRS, IRD, Institut Universitaire Européen de La Mer, LEMAR, Rue Dumont d’Urville, Plouzané, France

    Philippe Soudant

  9. Elon University Alamance Building 120C, 2200 Campus Box, Elon, NC, 27244, USA

    Aswani K. Volety

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  1. Katherine McFarland
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  2. Darren Rumbold
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  3. Ai Ning Loh
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  8. Patricia Goodman
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  12. Aswani K. Volety
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Correspondence to Katherine McFarland.

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McFarland, K., Rumbold, D., Loh, A.N. et al. Effects of freshwater release on oyster reef density, reproduction, and disease in a highly modified estuary. Environ Monit Assess 194, 96 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09489-x

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