Could the key to oyster restoration be linked to the microbiome?

For many centuries, native oysters were a part of healthy estuaries, supporting people and other species. Ostrea lurida, also known as the Olympia oyster, is the only native oyster species found along the Pacific Coast of North America. It has historically been an important species for both its ecological role in marine environments and its cultural and economic significance to Indigenous peoples and coastal communities. However, their popularity increased which led to their sharp decline around the 1800s with over 90% lost. Today, native oyster reefs are among our most endangered marine habitats, with over 85% lost globally. While we've made strides in restoration, success rates vary significantly. 

 

The native oyster Ostrea lurida, like other oyster species, harbors a diverse range of microbes both inside and on its shell surface. These microbes play crucial roles in maintaining the oyster’s health and supporting ecosystem functions, particularly in nutrient cycling and protection against pathogens. We're now realizing that a critical piece of the puzzle might be invisible to the naked eye - the microbiome. 

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In one study, we sought to shed light on the microbiome within oyster reef ecosystems by characterizing the abundance, and diversity of microorganisms in the soil, biofilm, and oysters using a combinatorial approach to identify differentially abundant microbes by sample type and by sampling location. This work was led by graduate students in the Department of Biology and Estuary & Ocean Science Center at SF State in collaboration with SERC, SF Bay Area NERR the Hernandez lab at UCSF. Read more in our preprint. 

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