KEYSTONE sPECIES
Crassostrea virginica
Eastern Virginian Oyster is scientifically known as Crassostrea virginica. Oysters are keystone species. They are the building blocks of the key and the other animals that live in this ecosystem. They provide ecological services to other organisms by just being here. They filter 20-50 gallons of water each day depending on tides, they build islands and provide homes for other organisms.
Oyster habitat
Oysters often attach to other oysters and form oyster clutches. There are two major requirements for oyster spats to be successful.
1. Depth
We call this the goldilocks zone, not to deep, not too high, but right in the middle. Oysters need to be near the surface of the water in order to feed. They eat plankton and the tides bring them their meals.
2. Salinity
Oysters are brackish water species and thrive where freshwater and saltwater meet. The Salt Spring Estuary and Cotee River provide a great habitat for them with salinity levels between 10-25 ppt during our rainy and dry seasons.
Oyster spat recruitment
Oyster spat arrays are being placed around the key to study natural oyster recruitment. Oyster reproduction is a yearlong process and picks up during our warmer months. Oysters are broadcast spawners. Female oysters can produce over 100 million eggs per year. Once they are fertilized, they drift with the other zooplankton and are called a veliger. Around 28 days later they are a spat and looking for something hard to attach to.
Oyster Reef Domes
Oyster reef domes will be deployed along the north and west shores of the island to protect against erosion. These structures will reduce wave energy, allowing shoreline plants like mangroves and spartina to further stabilize the coast. They will also be great habitat for oyster spat to attach to and for fish to hide in.
News & Events
We will be having an open house event at the Energy and Marine Center. Learn about our programs and help us celebrate 50 years of service. Create your own vertical oyster garden and meet other amazing organizations from our community.
Support Us
There are lots of ways to get involved. Donate old fishing gear, purchase student items or just volunteer your time. We need lots of great volunteers. You don't have to be a marine biologists we will teach you everything you need to know.
Durney Key oyster projects
Oyster Survey
Oyster Spat Arrays
Oyster Spat Arrays
For each zone (1-6) the distribution and population of oysters on oyster beds along Durney Key will be surveyed. Using the 1 m quadrat and randomly tossing it in each zone surveyors we count live and dead oysters. Dead oysters are defined as having two valves that were clearly open with no evidence of a living oyster within or only one valve. All size classes will be counted including live and dead spat. Only oysters that can be distinguished visually from above or to the side will be counted
Oyster Spat Arrays
Oyster Spat Arrays
Oyster Spat Arrays
An oyster spat array is a tool used in oyster restoration and aquaculture to monitor oyster settlement and growth. "Spat" refers to juvenile oysters that have attached themselves to a surface. From this study we will determine where to place oyster reef domes so they will have the best chance for providing oyster habitat.
Oyster Domes
Oyster Spat Arrays
Oyster Domes
An oyster reef dome is a man-made structure designed to mimic a natural oyster reef. It's typically dome-shaped and made of concrete, with holes and textured surfaces to encourage oyster growth and provide habitat for other marine life. These domes are used in coastal restoration projects to:
- Restore oyster populations: They provide a hard substrate for oyster larvae (spat) to attach to and grow, helping to rebuild depleted oyster reefs.
- Protect shorelines: When placed along coastlines, they act as natural breakwaters, reducing wave energy and preventing erosion.
- Create habitat: The complex structure of the domes provides shelter and foraging grounds for a variety of fish, crabs, and other marine organisms.
Oyster Rings
Oyster Shell Bags
Oyster Domes
Made from tightly wound jute and cement, oyster rings serve a dual purpose: they offer a stable surface for new oysters to colonize and create essential habitat for other marine life.
Oyster Shell Bags
Oyster Shell Bags
Oyster Shell Bags
An oyster shell bag is a biodegradable mesh bag filled with recycled oyster shells. These bags are used in coastal restoration projects, primarily for:
- Erosion Control: When placed along shorelines, they act as a natural barrier, absorbing wave energy and reducing the impact on the coast. This helps prevent erosion and protects the land behind them.
- Habitat Creation: The oyster shells inside the bags provide a hard surface for young oysters (larvae or spat) to attach to and grow. This encourages the development of new oyster reefs, which are vital habitats for many marine species.
Living Shorelines
Oyster Shell Bags
Oyster Shell Bags
Living shorelines are natural structures that stabilize shorelines using plants, sand, and rock. They are a cost-effective alternative to traditional hard structures like concrete seawalls