TY - UNPB
T1 - Intertwined eco-morphodynamic evolution of salt marshes and tidal channels cutting through them
AU - Geng, Liang
AU - D'Alpaos, Andrea
AU - Sgarabotto, Alessandro
AU - Gong, Zheng
AU - Lanzoni, Stefano
PY - 2021/7/25
Y1 - 2021/7/25
N2 - The formation and development of tidal channels and salt marshes are controlled by complex interactions between hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and vegetation dynamics. Tidal channels affect and, at the same time, are affected by the growth of salt marshes fringing them. The coupled evolution of these morphological units is thus a key ingredient for simulating the typical behaviour of tidal environments. We developed a mathematical model accounting for vegetation-induced flow resistance and wetting-drying processes typical of tidal environments, to investigate the eco-morphodynamic evolution of intertidal areas fringing a main channel and of the tidal creeks cutting through them. Model results indicate that vegetation promotes the development of channel networks, leading to more complex channel structures and higher drainage efficiency. Vegetation encroachment influences sediment deposition patterns by trapping sediment in the seaward and middle intertidal areas, while reducing the amount of sediment delivered to landward areas. In the presence of sea level rise, this deficit of sediment enhances the landward-decreasing trend of the intertidal platform and leads to more isolated vegetation patches. Overall, sea level rise restricts the extension of salt marshes and consequently reduces the effect of vegetation on channel development.
AB - The formation and development of tidal channels and salt marshes are controlled by complex interactions between hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and vegetation dynamics. Tidal channels affect and, at the same time, are affected by the growth of salt marshes fringing them. The coupled evolution of these morphological units is thus a key ingredient for simulating the typical behaviour of tidal environments. We developed a mathematical model accounting for vegetation-induced flow resistance and wetting-drying processes typical of tidal environments, to investigate the eco-morphodynamic evolution of intertidal areas fringing a main channel and of the tidal creeks cutting through them. Model results indicate that vegetation promotes the development of channel networks, leading to more complex channel structures and higher drainage efficiency. Vegetation encroachment influences sediment deposition patterns by trapping sediment in the seaward and middle intertidal areas, while reducing the amount of sediment delivered to landward areas. In the presence of sea level rise, this deficit of sediment enhances the landward-decreasing trend of the intertidal platform and leads to more isolated vegetation patches. Overall, sea level rise restricts the extension of salt marshes and consequently reduces the effect of vegetation on channel development.
U2 - 10.1002/essoar.10507617.1
DO - 10.1002/essoar.10507617.1
M3 - Preprint
BT - Intertwined eco-morphodynamic evolution of salt marshes and tidal channels cutting through them
PB - ESS Open Archive
ER -