GIS-Based Suitability Assessment for the Ecological Restoration of Oyster Reefs: A Case Study of the Tianjin Coast in Bohai Bay

Yuxuan Zhao, Zifei Wang, Yunan Lin, Ruijia Jing, Zhiyun Wang () and Xianhua Liu ()
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Yuxuan Zhao: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Zifei Wang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Yunan Lin: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Ruijia Jing: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Zhiyun Wang: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China
Xianhua Liu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: The ecological restoration of oyster reef ecosystems enhances their ecological functions and strengthens carbon sequestration capacity in coastal zones. Identifying suitable restoration sites is a crucial prerequisite for initiating oyster reef restoration projects. This study developed an oyster reef restoration suitability index model for the Tianjin coast of Bohai Bay by integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with the Geographic Information System (GIS). It was then applied to assess the region’s suitability for oyster reef restoration. The suitability analysis identified favorable environmental conditions for oyster reef restoration in most of the Tianjin coastal area, with high suitability for factors like dissolved oxygen, pH, and seabed slope. However, excessive water depth in the eastern bay mouth and strong currents in the southwestern region made these areas unsuitable. The northern and western coastal regions were deemed optimal restoration sites, while proximity to shipping lanes and industrial activities limited feasibility in some nearshore zones. The model outputs exhibited strong spatial concordance with existing oyster reef distributions, validating its predictive accuracy. This framework offers a robust foundation for oyster reef restoration planning, with an adaptable index system that allows for regional extrapolation. By leveraging this model, decision-makers can systematically evaluate site-specific restoration suitability, optimize resource allocation, and guide strategic conservation planning.

Keywords: oyster reef restoration; suitability analysis; geographic information system (GIS); analytic hierarchy process (AHP) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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