@article{theuerkauf_puckett_eggleston_2021, title={Metapopulation dynamics of oysters: sources, sinks, and implications for conservation and restoration}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2150-8925"]}, DOI={10.1002/ecs2.3573}, abstractNote={Abstract Metapopulation and source–sink dynamics are increasingly considered within spatially explicit management of wildlife populations, yet the application of these concepts has generally been limited to comparisons of the performance (e.g., demographic rates or dispersal) inside vs. outside protected areas, and at spatial scales that do not encompass an entire metapopulation. In the present study, a spatially explicit, size‐structured matrix model was applied to simulate the dynamics of an Eastern oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) metapopulation in the second largest estuary in the United States—the Albemarle‐Pamlico Estuarine System in North Carolina. The model integrated larval dispersal simulations with empirical measures of oyster demographic rates to simulate the dynamics of the entire oyster metapopulation consisting of 646 reefs and five reef types: (1) restored subtidal reefs closed to harvest (i.e., sanctuaries or protected areas; n = 14), (2) restored subtidal reefs open to harvest ( n = 53), (3) natural subtidal reefs open to harvest ( n = 301), (4) natural intertidal reefs open to harvest ( n = 129), and (5) oyster reefs on manmade, hard structures such as seawalls ( n = 149). Key findings included (1) an overall stable, yet slightly declining oyster metapopulation, (2) variable reef type‐specific population trajectories, largely dependent on spatiotemporal variation in larval recruitment, (3) a greater relative importance of inter‐reef larval connectivity on metapopulation dynamics than local larval retention processes, and (4) spatiotemporal variation in the source–sink status of reef subpopulations wherein subtidal sanctuaries and reefs located in the northeastern portion of the estuary were frequent sources. From a management perspective, continued protection of oyster sanctuaries is warranted. Sanctuaries represented only 6.2% of the total reef area, however, they harbored 19% (± 2%) of all oysters and produced 25% (± 6%) of all larvae settling within the metapopulation. Additional management priorities should focus on restoration or conservation of subpopulations that serve as frequent source subpopulations (including those with poor demographic rates, but high connectivity potential), and management of harvest from sink subpopulations. The application of a source–sink framework and similar integrated modeling approach could inform management of oysters in other systems, as well as other species that exhibit similar metapopulation characteristics.}, number={7}, journal={ECOSPHERE}, author={Theuerkauf, Seth J. and Puckett, Brandon J. and Eggleston, David B.}, year={2021}, month={Jul} }
 @article{theuerkauf_eggleston_puckett_2019, title={Integrating ecosystem services considerations within a GIS-based habitat suitability index for oyster restoration}, volume={14}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0210936}, abstractNote={Geospatial habitat suitability index (HSI) models have emerged as powerful tools that integrate pertinent spatial information to guide habitat restoration efforts, but have rarely accounted for spatial variation in ecosystem service provision. In this study, we utilized satellite-derived chlorophyll a concentrations for Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, USA in conjunction with data on water flow velocities and dissolved oxygen concentrations to identify potential restoration locations that would maximize the oyster reef-associated ecosystem service of water filtration. We integrated these novel factors associated with oyster water filtration ecosystem services within an existing, ‘Metapopulation Persistence’ focused GIS-based, HSI model containing biophysical (e.g., salinity, oyster larval connectivity) and logistical (e.g., distance to nearest restoration material stockpile site) factors to identify suitable locations for oyster restoration that maximize long-term persistence of restored oyster populations and water filtration ecosystem service provision. Furthermore, we compared the ‘Water Filtration’ optimized HSI with the HSI optimized for ‘Metapopulation Persistence,’ as well as a hybrid model that optimized for both water filtration and metapopulation persistence. Optimal restoration locations (i.e., locations corresponding to the top 1% of suitability scores) were identified that were consistent among the three HSI scenarios (i.e., “win-win” locations), as well as optimal locations unique to a given HSI scenario (i.e., “tradeoff” locations). The modeling framework utilized in this study can provide guidance to restoration practitioners to maximize the cost-efficiency and ecosystem services value of habitat restoration efforts. Furthermore, the functional relationships between oyster water filtration and chlorophyll a concentrations, water flow velocities, and dissolved oxygen applied in this study can guide field- and lab-testing of hypotheses related to optimal conditions for oyster reef restoration to maximize water quality enhancement benefits.}, number={1}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Theuerkauf, Seth J. and Eggleston, David B. and Puckett, Brandon J.}, year={2019}, month={Jan} }
 @article{puckett_theuerkauf_eggleston_guajardo_hardy_gao_luettich_2018, title={Integrating Larval Dispersal, Permitting, and Logistical Factors Within a Validated Habitat Suitability Index for Oyster Restoration}, volume={5}, ISSN={["2296-7745"]}, DOI={10.3389/fmars.2018.00076}, abstractNote={Habitat suitability index (HSI) models are increasingly used to guide ecological restoration. Successful restoration is a byproduct of several factors, including physical and biological processes, as well as permitting and logistical considerations. Rarely are factors from all of these categories included in HSI models, despite their combined relevance to common restoration goals such as population persistence. We developed a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based HSI for restoring persistent high-relief subtidal oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs protected from harvest (i.e., sanctuaries) in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, USA. Expert stakeholder input identified 17 factors to include in the HSI. Factors primarily represented physical (e.g., salinity) and biological (e.g., larval dispersal) processes relevant to oyster restoration, but also included several relevant permitting (e.g., presence of seagrasses) and logistical (e.g., distance to restoration material stockpile sites) considerations. We validated the model with multiple years of oyster density data from existing sanctuaries, and compared HSI output with distributions of oyster reefs from the late 1800’s. Of the 17 factors included in the model, stakeholders identified four factors—salinity, larval export from existing oyster sanctuaries, larval import to existing sanctuaries, and dissolved oxygen—most critical to oyster sanctuary site selection. The HSI model provided a quantitative scale over which a vast water body (~6,000 km2) was narrowed down by 95% to a much smaller suite of optimal (top 1% HSI) and suitable (top 5% HSI) locations for oyster restoration. Optimal and suitable restoration locations were clustered in northeast and southwest Pamlico Sound. Oyster density in existing sanctuaries, normalized for time since reef restoration, was a positive exponential function of HSI, providing validation for the model. Only a small portion (10-20%) of historical reef locations overlapped with current, model-predicted optimal and suitable restoration habitat. We contend that stronger linkages between larval connectivity, landscape ecology, stakeholder engagement and spatial planning within HSI models can provide a more holistic, unified approach to restoration.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE}, author={Puckett, Brandon J. and Theuerkauf, Seth J. and Eggleston, David B. and Guajardo, Rodney and Hardy, Craig and Gao, Jie and Luettich, Richard A.}, year={2018}, month={Apr} }
 @article{theuerkauf_puckett_theuerkauf_theuerkauf_eggleston_2017, title={Density-dependent role of an invasive marsh grass, Phragmites australis, on ecosystem service provision}, volume={12}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0173007}, abstractNote={Invasive species can positively, neutrally, or negatively affect the provision of ecosystem services. The direction and magnitude of this effect can be a function of the invaders’ density and the service(s) of interest. We assessed the density-dependent effect of an invasive marsh grass, Phragmites australis, on three ecosystem services (plant diversity and community structure, shoreline stabilization, and carbon storage) in two oligohaline marshes within the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NCNERR), USA. Plant species richness was equivalent among low, medium and high Phragmites density plots, and overall plant community composition did not vary significantly by Phragmites density. Shoreline change was most negative (landward retreat) where Phragmites density was highest (-0.40 ± 0.19 m yr-1 vs. -0.31 ± 0.10 for low density Phragmites) in the high energy marsh of Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve and most positive (soundward advance) where Phragmites density was highest (0.19 ± 0.05 m yr-1 vs. 0.12 ± 0.07 for low density Phragmites) in the lower energy marsh of Currituck Banks Reserve, although there was no significant effect of Phragmites density on shoreline change. In Currituck Banks, mean soil carbon content was approximately equivalent in cores extracted from low and high Phragmites density plots (23.23 ± 2.0 kg C m-3 vs. 22.81 ± 3.8). In Kitty Hawk Woods, mean soil carbon content was greater in low Phragmites density plots (36.63 ± 10.22 kg C m-3) than those with medium (13.99 ± 1.23 kg C m-3) or high density (21.61 ± 4.53 kg C m-3), but differences were not significant. These findings suggest an overall neutral density-dependent effect of Phragmites on three ecosystem services within two oligohaline marshes in different environmental settings within a protected reserve system. Moreover, the conceptual framework of this study can broadly inform an ecosystem services-based approach to invasive species management.}, number={2}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Theuerkauf, Seth J. and Puckett, Brandon J. and Theuerkauf, Kathrynlynn W. and Theuerkauf, Ethan J. and Eggleston, David B.}, year={2017}, month={Feb} }
 @article{theuerkauf_eggleston_theuerkauf_puckett_2017, title={OYSTER DENSITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC RATES ON NATURAL INTERTIDAL REEFS AND HARDENED SHORELINE STRUCTURES}, volume={36}, ISSN={["1943-6319"]}, DOI={10.2983/035.036.0111}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT The ubiquitous loss of natural intertidal oyster reefs and associated ecosystem services has fueled restoration efforts throughout the world. Effective restoration requires an understanding of the distribution, density, and demographic rates (growth and survival) of oysters inhabiting existing natural reefs and how these may vary as a function of landscape-scale factors, such as tidal range and fetch distances. Furthermore, natural intertidal habitats are increasingly being replaced with hardened shoreline structures that may be colonized by oysters, yet little is known about habitat quality (as indexed by oyster density and demographic rates) of these hardened structures relative to natural habitats. The present study sought to compare oyster density, demographic rates, and population estimates (1) across estuarine landscape settings to inform natural intertidal oyster reef restoration (i.e., comparing natural intertidal reefs within adjacent water bodies that vary in tidal regimes and fetch distances) and (2) across natural habitats and human-made structures to assess variation in habitat quality between natural reefs and hardened shorelines. Oyster density, growth rates, and population estimates on natural intertidal reefs were greatest within the smaller, more tidally influenced Core Sound versus the larger, wind-driven Pamlico Sound, with no significant difference in survivorship identified between the two water bodies. Natural intertidal reefs and hardened shoreline structures were compared within Pamlico Sound only, with natural intertidal reefs hosting three to eight times higher oyster densities than hardened shoreline structures. When mean oyster density/m2 was multiplied by reef area to estimate population size, natural intertidal reefs within Pamlico Sound hosted considerably greater populations of oysters relative to hardened shorelines. The present study fills an existing need to understand oyster density and demographic rates on natural intertidal reefs and hardened shorelines to better inform future restoration and shoreline management scenarios.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF SHELLFISH RESEARCH}, author={Theuerkauf, Seth J. and Eggleston, David B. and Theuerkauf, Kathrynlynn W. and Puckett, Brandon J.}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={87–100} }
 @article{theuerkauf_eggleston_puckett_theuerkauf_2017, title={Wave Exposure Structures Oyster Distribution on Natural Intertidal Reefs, But Not on Hardened Shorelines}, volume={40}, ISSN={["1559-2731"]}, DOI={10.1007/s12237-016-0153-6}, number={2}, journal={ESTUARIES AND COASTS}, author={Theuerkauf, Seth J. and Eggleston, David B. and Puckett, Brandon J. and Theuerkauf, Kathrynlynn W.}, year={2017}, month={Mar}, pages={376–386} }
 @article{theuerkauf_burke_lipcius_2015, title={Settlement, growth, and survival of eastern oysters on alternative reef substrates}, volume={34}, number={2}, journal={Journal of Shellfish Research}, author={Theuerkauf, S. J. and Burke, R. P. and Lipcius, R. N.}, year={2015}, pages={241–250} }