Scientists have revealed that Europe’s native oyster ecosystem has declined to the extent that it has ‘collapsed’, highlighting the importance of ambitious restoration initiatives.
Scientists have revealed that Europe’s native oyster ecosystem has declined to the extent that it has ‘collapsed’, highlighting the importance of ambitious restoration initiatives.
The assessment, led by international conservation charity ZSL and the University of Edinburgh, came after researchers from across Europe reviewed historical and ecological data with the intention of defining the extent of the European native oyster ecosystem.
They discovered that the species has faced such extreme decimation that it must now be classified as ‘collapsed’ according to the IUCN’s Red List of Ecosystems criteria.
Scientists have revealed that thriving oyster reef ecosystems are nothing like those seen in European seas today.
Read More at: University of Exeter
Thriving oyster reef ecosystems are nothing like those seen in European seas today. (Photo Credit: Stéphane Pouvreau Ifremer)
