[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Wave attenuation by two contrasting ecosystem engineering salt marsh macrophytes in the intertidal pioneer zone
Ysebaert, T.; Yang, S.; Zhang, L.; He, Q.; Bouma, T.J.; Herman, P.M.J. (2011). Wave attenuation by two contrasting ecosystem engineering salt marsh macrophytes in the intertidal pioneer zone. Wetlands 31(6): 1043-1054. dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13157-011-0240-1
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Scirpus mariqueter; Spartina alterniflora Loisel. [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Coastal protection; Scirpus mariqueter ; Spartina alterniflora ; Tidal wetlands; Yangtze estuary

Project Top | Authors 
  • Innovative coastal technologies for safer European coasts in a changing climate, more

Authors  Top 
  • Ysebaert, T., more
  • Yang, S.
  • Zhang, L.
  • He, Q.
  • Bouma, T.J., more
  • Herman, P.M.J., more

Abstract
    Tidal wetlands play an important role in dissipating hydrodynamic energy. Wave attenuation in vegetation depends on plant characteristics, as well as on hydrodynamic conditions. In the pioneer zone of salt marshes, species co-occur that differ widely in their growth strategies, and it is anticipated that these species act differently on incoming waves. In this field study we investigated, under different hydrodynamic forcing and tidal inundation levels, the wave attenuating capacity of two contrasting pioneer salt marsh species that co-occur in the Yangtze estuary, China. Our study shows that vegetation can reduce wave heights up to 80% over a relatively short distance (<50 m). Our results further indicate that Spartina alterniflora is able to reduce hydrodynamic energy from waves to a larger extent than Scirpus mariqueter, and therefore has a larger ecosystem engineering capacity (2.5× higher on average). A higher standing biomass of S. alterniflora explained its higher wave attenuation at low water depths. Being much taller compared to S. mariqueter, S. alterniflora also attenuated waves more with increasing water depth. We conclude that knowledge about the engineering properties of salt marsh species is important to better understand wave attenuation by tidal wetlands and their possible role in coastal protection.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors 
EU logo

THESEUS is funded by the European Commission within FP7-THEME 6 - Environment, including climate.
Grant 244104
1 December 2009 - 30 November 2013
Website developed and maintained by VLIZ

7 logo