What is it about?
Oysters in the family Ostreidae are economically important in many coastal regions and provide valuable ecosystem services, including water filtration, habitat formation, and nutrient cycling. Global oyster populations have undergone significant declines, including in the North Sea, due in part to overfishing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Harry Robson et al. analyzed demographic data from 2,107 European oyster (Ostrea edulis) shells dated to 5660–2600 BCE from 19 archaeological sites and a natural shell bank in Denmark to establish a baseline for preindustrial O. edulis populations. The results suggested that harvesting of O. edulis was largely sustainable across the study period. Based on shell size and age at death, the authors identified a shift in O. edulis demographics following the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition at around 4000 BCE. During the Mesolithic, the average size of O. edulis shells was larger and there were significantly older O. edulis harvested, compared to the Neolithic. This demographic shift was likely attributable to an increase in harvesting pressure, with little impact of environmental changes on O. edulis growth rates. According to the authors, the results provide insight into prehistoric sustainable O. edulis harvesting practices and could inform ongoing oyster restoration projects (source: PNAS).
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Why is it important?
Oysters play a key role in marine ecosystems by filtering water, providing habitats, and supporting nutrient cycling. Understanding how human activities have impacted these ecosystems over millennia can guide current and future efforts to restore marine biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience. The study underscores the importance of integrating historical data to ensure the long-term sustainability of oyster populations (source: UoY).
Perspectives
"The integration of archaeological and palaeoecological data provides us with a comprehensive understanding of historical marine ecosystems. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing contemporary environmental challenges. This research is a powerful reminder that long-term ecological resilience is possible with mindful resource management”. “Our research shows that environmental factors, while important, were not the sole drivers of changes in oyster populations. Human management played a crucial role in maintaining the balance that ensured long-term sustainability. The data we’ve collected allows us to look at how environmental changes and human actions worked together to shape marine life".
Harry Robson
Museum Lolland-Falster
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The effects of Mid-Holocene foragers on the European oyster in Denmark, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 2024, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2410335121.
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