ABSTRACT: A combination of anthropogenic stressors and overharvesting has led to a loss of oyster reefs and the important ecosystem services they provide. Addressing these losses through restoration is now a focus of coastal and estuarine conservation efforts. The present study tested a low-cost, qualitative rapid assessment approach for monitoring habitat characteristics of subtidal oyster reefs differing in restoration activity. The study was conducted in 4 tributaries of the Choptank River complex, Maryland, USA, which included harvest areas and no-take reserves (sanctuaries). At each site, a categorical score ranging from 0 to 3 was compared with percent cover of oyster shell and of fouling organisms. Restored reefs in oyster sanctuaries had higher scores (2 to 3) and percent cover of oyster shell and fouling organisms than unrestored sanctuary reefs or reefs open to harvest; higher scores were also associated with greater percent cover of hard substrate and fouling organisms. The Harris Creek sanctuary reef system had the highest percentage of scores of 3 (40%), followed by tributaries with partially restored reef systems (14% in Little Choptank, 6% in Tred Avon) and harvest areas (2% in Broad Creek). Although validation with metrics of live oysters is needed, rapid video assessment appears to be an effective, low-cost tool for qualitative monitoring of subtidal oyster reefs in areas with adequate visibility.

中文翻译：

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快速视频评估检测牡蛎礁栖息地的质量差异

摘要：人为压力源和过度捕捞的结合导致牡蛎礁及其提供的重要生态系统服务的丧失。通过恢复解决这些损失现在是沿海和河口保护工作的重点。本研究测试了一种低成本、定性快速评估方法，用于监测恢复活动不同的潮下带牡蛎礁的栖息地特征。该研究在美国马里兰州乔普坦克河综合体的 4 个支流中进行，其中包括收获区和禁采区（保护区）。在每个地点，将 0 到 3 的分类分数与牡蛎壳和污垢生物的覆盖百分比进行比较。牡蛎保护区中恢复的珊瑚礁比未恢复的保护区珊瑚礁或开放收获的珊瑚礁具有更高的分数（2 到 3）和牡蛎壳和污损生物的覆盖百分比；较高的分数也与较大的硬质基材和污垢生物覆盖率有关。Harris Creek 保护区珊瑚礁系统得分最高，为 3 (40%)，其次是部分恢复珊瑚礁系统的支流（Little Choptank 14%，Tred Avon 6%）和收获区（Broad Creek 2%） . 尽管需要对活牡蛎的指标进行验证，但快速视频评估似乎是一种有效、低成本的工具，可用于在能见度足够的区域对潮下带牡蛎礁进行定性监测。Harris Creek 保护区珊瑚礁系统得分最高，为 3 (40%)，其次是部分恢复珊瑚礁系统的支流（Little Choptank 14%，Tred Avon 6%）和收获区（Broad Creek 2%） . 尽管需要对活牡蛎的指标进行验证，但快速视频评估似乎是一种有效、低成本的工具，可用于在能见度足够的区域对潮下带牡蛎礁进行定性监测。Harris Creek 保护区珊瑚礁系统得分最高，为 3 (40%)，其次是部分恢复珊瑚礁系统的支流（Little Choptank 14%，Tred Avon 6%）和收获区（Broad Creek 2%） . 尽管需要对活牡蛎的指标进行验证，但快速视频评估似乎是一种有效、低成本的工具，可用于在能见度足够的区域对潮下带牡蛎礁进行定性监测。