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& Resources Oyster Reefs—Habitat of the Month What are Oyster
Reefs? Oysters are a type of shellfish that live in brackish and
saltwater bays, estuaries, and tidal creeks. Their larvae
typically settle on the shells of other oysters, forming dense,
expansive clusters known as oyster reefs or beds. Oysters are
considered a “keystone species” due to their critical roles in
maintaining water quality and biodiversity and cycling water and
nutrients within an ecosystem. Not Just a Menu Item Just about
everyone has seen an oyster in the supermarket, if not eaten one
on the half shell. Their popularity as a delicacy cannot be
denied—in 2010, the United States harvested more than 28 million
pounds of oysters valued at nearly $118 million and imported
another estimated 12 million pounds from around the world. What
you might not know is that oysters aren’t just animals: they’re
habitat, too. Sp