Morphodynamic Feedbacks during Vegetation Colonization of Tideflats
Abstract
The long term goal of this effort is to understand interactions and feedbacks between biotic and physical process in tideflat morphodynamics. Investigated biotic processes will consist primarily of vegetation colonization of tideflats, although benthic infauna could also be an important consideration under some circumstances. Physical process include those related to hydrodynamics, such as flow, sediment transport, salinity regime, inundation periods, wave/storm disturbance, flood disturbance. The objectives of this effort are to 1. Describe early vegetation colonization process in sandy tideflats. This includes determining rates of change, vegetation species involved, successional patterns (if any), and changes in tideflat biophysical structure, e.g., canopy density and height (in anticipation of these parameters being used in hydrodynamic models). 2. Discern physical controls on the colonization process, e.g., topography, sediment quality, hydrodynamics, salinity regime. 3. Discern physical consequences of vegetation colonization, e.g., direct and indirect topographic responses, including possible channel formation or stabilization and changes in sediment quality.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA518119
Entities
People
- W. G. Hood