Editing Shellfish (section)

== Ecosystem services and reef-building ==
Shellfish of various kinds contribute to the formation of [[reef]]s, such as when millions of oysters or mussels aggregate together. Reefs provide habitat for numerous other species, bury carbon, contributing to [[climate change mitigation]],<ref name="Fodrie-2017">{{Cite journal|last1=Fodrie|first1=F. Joel|last2=Rodriguez|first2=Antonio B.|last3=Gittman|first3=Rachel K.|last4=Grabowski|first4=Jonathan H.|last5=Lindquist|first5=Niels. L.|last6=Peterson|first6=Charles H.|last7=Piehler|first7=Michael F.|last8=Ridge|first8=Justin T.|date=2017-07-26|title=Oyster reefs as carbon sources and sinks|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences|language=en|volume=284|issue=1859|pages=20170891|doi=10.1098/rspb.2017.0891|issn=0962-8452|pmc=5543224|pmid=28747477}}</ref> and defend the shore against erosion, floods and waves.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Chowdhury|first1=Mohammed Shah Nawaz|last2=Walles|first2=Brenda|last3=Sharifuzzaman|first3=S. M.|last4=Shahadat Hossain|first4=M.|last5=Ysebaert|first5=Tom|last6=Smaal|first6=Aad C.|date=2019-06-12|title=Oyster breakwater reefs promote adjacent mudflat stability and salt marsh growth in a monsoon dominated subtropical coast|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=9|issue=1|pages=8549|doi=10.1038/s41598-019-44925-6 |pmid=31189886|pmc=6561949|bibcode=2019NatSR...9.8549C|issn=2045-2322}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Walles|first1=Brenda|last2=Salvador de Paiva|first2=João|last3=van Prooijen|first3=Bram C.|last4=Ysebaert|first4=Tom|last5=Smaal|first5=Aad C.|date=2015-05-01|title=The Ecosystem Engineer Crassostrea gigas Affects Tidal Flat Morphology Beyond the Boundary of Their Reef Structures|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-014-9860-z|journal=Estuaries and Coasts|language=en|volume=38|issue=3|pages=941–950|doi=10.1007/s12237-014-9860-z|bibcode=2015EstCo..38..941W |s2cid=85817134|issn=1559-2731}}</ref> Conversely, when they are destroyed or exploited, carbon can be released into the atmosphere, simultaneously increasing the likelihood of severe weather while removing the natural defence against its consequences.<ref name="Fodrie-2017" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Shellfish reefs: Australia's untold environmental disaster|url=https://phys.org/news/2018-02-shellfish-reefs-australia-untold-environmental.html|access-date=2021-10-13|website=phys.org|language=en}}</ref> In addition, some shellfish are known for filtering water, removing suspended particles and contaminants, which contributes to both quality and clarity.<ref name="Ramsar-2011">{{Cite web|last=Ramsar|date=2011|title=Wetlands Ecosystem Services Factsheet 5: Water Purification|url=https://www.ramsar.org/sites/default/files/documents/library/services_05_e.pdf|access-date=13 October 2021|website=ramsar.org}}</ref> These benefits cascade to other species that are helpful to humankind such as seagrasses.<ref name="Ramsar-2011" />