Present situation and protection restoration suggestions on the natural oyster reefs in China

This paper is result of marine geological survey engineering.

Objective Oyster reef has important ecological value, and studying its present situation is of great significance for coastal ecological protection and restoration.

Methods This article reviewed the investigation and research data of the natural oyster reefs at home and abroad. In addition, the present situation, historical changes, as well as the major ecological problems of the natural oyster reefs in China were also discussed. On the basis of the results, combined with indigenous and abroad oyster reef ecosystem restoration practices, suggestions on the protection and restoration of the natural oyster reefs in China were put forward.

Results The results show that the global oyster population has declined by 85% over the past century, with more than 90% of reefs in the Asia-Pacific region have already disappeared. The natural oyster reefs in China are also severely degraded, and the known natural living oyster reefs are mainly distributed in Caofeidian, Hebei, Dashentang, Tianjin, Binzhou Port and Laizhou Bay, Shandong, Xiaomiaohong, Jiangsu, Shenhu Bay and Kinmen, Fujian, etc. The existing oyster reefs in severely degraded areas are less than one-tenth of what they were in the past, causing serious damage to the structure and function of the estuary and coastal ecosystems. Therefore, the protection and restoration work is needed urgently.

Conclusions The practices of oyster reef restoration at home and abroad show that it is feasible and quite significant to carry out area restoration of oyster reef ecosystem. In order to make full use of the ecological service function of oyster reefs, provide support for the ecological restoration, and improve the carbon sequestration capacity of coastal zones, this paper proposes four suggestions on protection and restoration, including promoting relevant legislation on oyster reef protection, conducting systematical survey and research on the natural living oyster reefs, pilot to carry out oyster reef restoration demonstration projects, and constructing "China Coastal Oyster Reef Eco-Corridor".