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Intertwined Eco‐Morphodynamic Evolution of Salt Marshes and Emerging Tidal Channel Networks
Author(s) -
Geng Liang,
D'Alpaos Andrea,
Sgarabotto Alessandro,
Gong Zheng,
Lanzoni Stefano
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2021wr030840
Subject(s) - salt marsh , intertidal zone , vegetation (pathology) , marsh , sediment , channel (broadcasting) , deposition (geology) , geology , hydrology (agriculture) , erosion , environmental science , oceanography , ecology , wetland , geomorphology , medicine , geotechnical engineering , engineering , pathology , electrical engineering , biology
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, mediated by vegetation growth, is thus a key ingredient for simulating the behavior of tidal environments. Considering these two factors, we developed a mathematical model 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 network form and function.