Parameterization of a bioenergetic model to estimate shell, somatic and reproductive tissue growth of Ostrea edulis

Abstract Several projects to reintroduce the native oyster Ostrea edulis are being carried out in Europe, some based on the restorative aquaculture approach. These projects could benefit from the application of a model which could predict oyster growth under different environmental conditions. Growth can be an indicator of suitable conditions and predicting it can particularly relevant for site selection. The simulated physiological processes underlying growth (e.g. clearance and respiration rates, storage of nutrients in tissues) could also support the estimation of the ecosystem functioning and services provided by new oyster reefs, thus allowing one to quantify the restoration benefits. Within this study, we developed a bioenergetic Individual Based Model (IBM) for Ostrea edulis, based on the Scope for Growth approach. Model parameters were estimated based on available literature data and a set of field data collected in the Venice Lagoon, which included time series of somatic and gonadal tissue and shell weight. The model was then successfully applied to the simulation of two further sets of previously published data. These findings suggest that the model could be used as a predictive tool for estimating Ostrea edulis growth over a wide range of environmental conditions and as a building block of oyster reef models.