International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 275-284 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 275 Feature Review Open Access The Role of Shellfish Aquaculture in Coastal Habitat Restoration Fei Zhao, Jinni Wu Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jinni.wu@cuixi.org International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.4, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0031 Received: 20 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 01 Aug., 2024 Published: 19 Aug., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhao and Wu, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproductio4n in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhao F., and Wu J.N., 2024, The role of shellfish aquaculture in coastal habitat restoration, International Journal of Marine Science, 14(4): 275-284 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0031) Abstract Shellfish aquaculture plays a crucial role in coastal habitat restoration. As coastal habitats globally continue to degrade, the ecological functions of shellfish, such as oysters and mussels, are receiving increasing attention. Through filtering water, improving water quality, stabilizing substrates, and forming new habitats, shellfish significantly contribute to restoring biodiversity, enhancing the resilience of coastal ecosystems, and promoting carbon sequestration. This study reviews the multiple ecological functions of shellfish aquaculture in coastal restoration and analyzes successful case studies to explore its application potential. Additionally, the study examines the environmental, socio-economic, and regulatory challenges encountered when integrating shellfish aquaculture with habitat restoration and proposes future directions for technological advancements. This research aims to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for coastal ecological restoration, emphasizing the importance of shellfish aquaculture in addressing global climate change and ecological degradation. Keywords Shellfish aquaculture; Coastal habitat restoration; Biodiversity; Ecosystem resilience; Carbon sequestration 1 Introduction Coastal habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs, salt marshes, and seagrass beds are among the most critical ecosystems on Earth, providing invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits to both humanity and nature. However, over the past century, more than 50% of the world's coastal wetlands have been lost due to land reclamation, urbanization, and industrial activities (Li et al., 2018). Additionally, nutrient pollution, overfishing, and climate change have further accelerated the degradation of these ecosystems (Lefcheck et al., 2018). This degradation not only threatens biodiversity but also undermines the essential ecosystem services these habitats provide, such as shoreline protection, carbon sequestration, and support for fisheries (Nichols et al., 2018). Shellfish, particularly bivalves like oysters, mussels, and clams, play a crucial role in maintaining the health and functionality of coastal ecosystems. Shellfish not only improve water quality through filtration and nutrient cycling but also provide habitat for various marine species. Research has shown that when sustainably managed, shellfish aquaculture can significantly enhance the services provided by coastal ecosystems, such as increasing the abundance and diversity of wild, mobile macrofauna, and supporting the reproduction and survival of fish and invertebrates through the creation of artificial reefs (Theuerkauf et al., 2021). Therefore, shellfish aquaculture is considered a potentially effective tool for restoring degraded coastal habitats. This study systematically analyzes existing scientific literature to evaluate the role of shellfish aquaculture in the restoration of degraded coastal habitats, exploring its positive impacts on ecosystems and the mechanisms through which it operates, while also examining the challenges and limitations that may arise during its implementation. Through this research, the goal is to provide valuable guidance to policymakers, conservationists, and aquaculture practitioners on effectively integrating shellfish aquaculture into coastal habitat restoration strategies. 2 Shellfish Aquaculture and Its Ecological Functions 2.1 Filtration and water quality improvement Shellfish aquaculture plays a significant role in improving water quality through the filtration activities of bivalves such as mussels and oysters. These organisms feed by filtering plankton and other particles from the water, which can lead to substantial reductions in water turbidity and nutrient levels. For instance, the ribbed mussel (Geukensia
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