Acoustic camera and net surveys reveal that nursery enhancement at living shorelines may be restricted to the marsh platform

Rapid human development in coastal areas is introducing significant amounts of novel habitat and leading to widespread simplification. To predict how species will respond these changes, it important understand organisms interact with habitats versus naturally existing habitats. In this study, we used traditional fish sampling gear (fyke nets minnow traps) a Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar (DIDSON) conduct surveys along natural modified estuarine shorelines North Carolina, USA. The overall objective our study was investigate abundance other community metrics change as function shoreline type (natural marsh, living shoreline, or bulkhead), location (marsh platform the shallow subtidal area offshore structure), time day (day night). Using fyke nets, caught significantly more recorded higher richness on marsh at shorelines. However, found no differences unvegetated seaward different types, which may have been affected by low efficiency replication when sampled using traps DIDSON. Our findings, conjunction similar studies, reflect localized effect where nursery enhancement observed sites restricted component (i.e., marsh). Additionally, preliminary results from limited daytime nighttime DIDSON show detections. This contrasts many previous studies techniques that report substantially catches night. unexpected finding worthy additional research suggest are underestimating abundances during day, perhaps due visual avoidance. Ultimately, careful consideration social ecological goals any stabilization project needed before choosing final design; however, maximizing restoration limiting use artificial materials likely confer greatest benefit.