9509057 KOEPFLER RUI: The Role of Oyster Reefs in the Structure and Function of Tidal Creeks Oyster reefs are present in great abundance in small tidal creek ecosystems of the coastal southeastern United States. Oyster reefs may strongly regulate the biological communities and the physical and chemical characteristics of these ecosystems. This project uses a multidisciplinary, integrated field and laboratory design to study the role of oyster reefs in tidal creeks. A rigorous statistical design is employed to determine biological and physical effects. This study investigates the consequences of the removal of oyster reefs, a process that has occurred on a larger scale by human influences in many areas of the world.
