Engineering practice guide for oyster reefs : a natural infrastructure approach for coastal systems

<jats:p>Well-designed oyster reefs enhance coastal resilience by attenuating wave energy, influencing sediment transport, and stabilizing shorelines. As ecosystem engineers, oysters create biogenic reef structures that provide habitat, improve water quality, and support estuarine productivity. When appropriately designed, they can also contribute to coastal storm risk management and navigation improvement objectives. Historically, oyster reefs were widespread features of many US estuaries and bays, playing important roles in shoreline stabilization and estuarine function. However, many reefs have been degraded or lost due to development, overharvesting, and environmental change. Constructed oyster reefs present a natural infrastructure approach that can support both ecological and physical processes that benefit society. While oyster reefs provide multiple benefits, application as natural infra-structure often involves tradeoffs related to cost, performance uncertainty, and long-term sustainability. Oyster reef design should evaluate these tradeoffs and clearly communicate associated risks and expected benefits. This publication is part of a series of technical reports produced by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature® Program, offering engineering practice guidelines for designing natural infrastructure solutions for riverine and coastal systems. This guide supports inter-disciplinary teams in applying engineering and ecological principles to develop oyster reef projects as natural infrastructure features.</jats:p>