Burrowing shrimp, sediment, and oyster outplant data Washington State, USA

Our goal was to evaluate the effects of sediment burial by burrowing shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis) on sediment properties within estuarine sites and Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) survival and growth In Washington States outercoats estuaries. We used three approaches: 1) we implemented an oyster outplant study to quantify the effects of burrowing shrimp on sediment properties and their effects on oyster performance through direct and indirect pathways, 2) we quantified the relationship between mud content and shrimp density on abandoned and persistent shellfish aquaculture beds, 3) we examined how much sediment is ejected from shrimp burrows by comparing the volume of entrapped sediment ejected from shrimp burrows, from within a shrimp bed but not over burrows, and in areas where shrimp were removed.