Core 4 Research Program - University of Southern Mississippi

 
 

Environmental and Hydrodynamic Controls on Larval Recruitment onto Historical and Experimental Reef Plot Sites

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jeremy D. Wiggert
Institution: University of Southern Mississippi
Award Amount: $227,209
Period of Performance: February 16, 2026 – November 15, 2027

Project Goals and Importance

Successful oyster reef restoration depends not only on suitable habitat but also on the availability, transport, and settlement of oyster larvae. Understanding the environmental and hydrodynamic processes influencing larval recruitment is therefore essential for evaluating oyster reef restoration success in the Mississippi Sound.

This project investigates factors influencing oyster larval recruitment at historical reef locations and experimental reef plots, including sites established through collaboration with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).

Through field observations and modeling approaches, researchers will examine relationships among larval availability, transport, environmental conditions, and recruitment. As part of MBRACE's coordinated Core 4 Research Program, this work will integrate with complementary investigations of oyster growth, coastal water quality, and hydrodynamic processes.

Research Objectives

  • Investigate oyster larval recruitment at historical and experimental reef sites.

  • Evaluate environmental and hydrodynamic factors influencing larval availability, transport, and settlement.

  • Examine connectivity among oyster reef locations.

  • Integrate field observations and modeling approaches to improve understanding of recruitment dynamics.

  • Contribute findings to the broader Core 4 research effort.

Expected Management Impacts

This research aims to improve understanding of the processes influencing oyster recruitment and reef sustainability in the Mississippi Sound. Findings may help inform restoration site selection, reef design and evaluation, and strategies intended to improve oyster reef establishment and long-term sustainability.

Project Outputs

Publications, presentations, datasets, and other research products will be added as they become available.