View all Courses
ATU Researcher’s Work Featured in BBC Wildlife Magazine
A study by an Atlantic Technological University (ATU) researcher has been spotlighted in the December issue of Discover Wildlife by the BBC Wildlife Magazine, bringing attention to the critical state of Europe’s native oyster reef ecosystems.
Dr José M. Fariñas-Franco, a marine ecologist at ATU, co-authored the paper “European Native Oyster Reef Ecosystems Are Universally Collapsed”, which was published in the well-known journal Conservation Letters. Alongside this, photographs of one of the last areas of known native oyster habitat, located off the West Coast of Ireland, captured by Dr Fariñas-Franco were featured in the Discover Wildlife article, offering a visual glimpse into one of the last remnants of these vital habitats.
The study revealed that the once-thriving native oyster reefs across Europe have now been classified as “collapsed” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems criteria. Historically, these reefs spanned vast areas, including a now-destroyed 20-mile-long reef off the coast of Arklow, Ireland. However, modern-day assessments show that no remaining habitat exceeds 0.1 hectares in size.
Current research carried out in ATU, led by Dr Jose M. Fariñas-Franco, one of the co-authors of the paper, has discovered small pockets of native oyster reef habitats in the west coast of Ireland that can be used as reference to guide restoration of oyster reef ecosystems to what they once were. This work, while confirming the absolute degradation caused by human activities to this critical marine ecosystem in Europe, also serves to highlight the need for protecting remnant oyster reefs and the potential benefits of investing in large scale, and more ambitious, ecosystem recovery projects.
Dr Jose M. Fariñas-Franco, from ATU said;
“After an in-depth review of historical records from across Europe, including Ireland, we found that native oysters created extensive reefs with dense aggregations of oysters and high biodiversity. For example, 19th Century sources report the presence of a now destroyed oyster reef off Arklow extending 20 miles in length and 4 miles in width. The research found there are no locations remaining in Europe where the habitat (high densities of oysters) extends beyond 0.1ha, and we conclude the ecosystem is collapsed. While there are many policies in place to manage oyster beds these are purely fisheries oriented in its vast majority of their range (including Ireland) embracing a highly shifted baseline even if they consider oyster beds an ecosystem.”
Scientists have revealed that thriving oyster reef ecosystems are nothing like those seen in European seas today. Newly compiled historical data shows these complex three-dimensional oyster reefs once grew to the size of a football pitch and collectively covered an area of over 1.7 million hectares, an area larger than Greater London.
They would have hosted a diverse, abundant and flourishing community of fish, crabs, starfish, and birds, such as the distinctive oystercatchers – named for their preference for feeding on oysters. The ecosystems were often called the temperate equivalent of tropical coral reefs. Healthy oyster reefs are vital habitats for many species and have a huge impact on the environment around them. They provide food for people, stabilise shorelines, cycle nutrients, and filter water —a single adult oyster filters up to 200 litres of water daily.
Current definitions of the habitat specify a handful of oysters on the seafloor as their defining feature compared to their historical vibrancy. Therefore, a lack of an ecologically meaningful baseline and accurate definition has hampered current efforts to restore reef ecosystems. The ecosystem red listing, while it delivers bad news about the habitat’s current status, should serve as a catalyst for greater ambition in ecosystem recovery.
Primarily due to historical overexploitation compounded by poor water quality and disease, the seafloor is now a flat, barren expanse of sediment with low diversity. European oyster reef habitats are now so scattered and degraded that, except for a few locations such as Norway and Sweden, oysters are largely found in isolation or in tiny clumps. In Europe, most oyster populations exist in densities of less than one individual per square meter. Where they are found grouped together, these oyster clumps cover less than 0.1ha.
The publication of this research comes at a pivotal moment as international initiatives, such as the EU Nature Restoration Law, aim to reverse biodiversity loss by restoring degraded ecosystems. Dr Fariñas-Franco’s findings emphasize the importance of including oyster reefs in these efforts and investing in innovative, large-scale restoration projects.
The decline of European Native Oyster ecosystems highlights a crucial moment for marine biodiversity. Human activities have drastically altered these habitats, leading to isolated oyster populations. Restoration efforts must recognise oysters’ ecological importance and adopt a holistic approach to revitalising marine environments.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Dr Fariñas-Franco’s photography has drawn widespread attention, showcasing the beauty and fragility of Ireland’s marine habitats. His images serve as a poignant reminder of what is at stake if immediate action is not taken.
