Impact of the invasive Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) on marine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services

This project combines fieldwork with individual-based modelling approaches to predict the impact of invasive Pacific oysters on the ecology and ecosystem services of coastal habitats. The impact of high densities of Pacific oysters and reefs on the coastal food web, particularly birds, is unknown, as is the impact on ecosystem services such as fisheries and tourism. The project will aim to produce a parameterised model that can be used to help decision makers manage and mitigate the impact of aquaculture and make predictions of future impacts under different climate change scenarios.