WHIP Used in Oyster Habitat Restoration Project

Oysters have played a key role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay, serving as a primary contributor to the Bay’s filtration system and providing rich habitat for many other species. As part of an effort to restore declining oyster habitat, Bay enthusiast Christine Smith is working with NRCS to construct and seed an oyster reef in the shallow waters along her property in Gloucester, Virginia.  Technical and financial assistance is being provided under the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. 

To locate the best site for construction of the new reef, Virginia completed its first subaqueous soil survey.  This nontraditional soil survey provides detailed descriptions, properties and interpretations of underwater soils. Although nontraditional, nationally, there is a growing level of interest in learning more about the soils in these rich and diverse shallow water areas.

NRCS soils scientists waded out into the York River, mapping 25 acres of underwater soils.  Working from boats and sporting aqua shoes, soils scientists lowered augers and a peat sampler into the water to retrieve soil cores.  They were able to determine which soils would work best for construction of an oyster reef, and gathered information for shell fish and aquatic vegetation.

One healthy oyster reef can provide habitat for more than an estimated 300 different organisms like adult and juvenile fish, shrimp, clams and blue crabs. In addition to providing reef habitat, one adult oyster filters between 25-50 gallons of water per day, filtering out sediment, bacteria, nutrients and plankton. 

This project is an example of how landowners are working to improve water quality in the Bay for everyone.

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