Measurements and modelling of the effects of seagrass meadows on flow and sediment transport in the Bay of l’Ecluse, Dinard, France

Seagrasses are a valuable but threatened part of coastal systems. To aid restoration attempts, a model has been made to study the effect of such flexible aquatic vegetation on flow and sediment transport. Because this model needs to be tested against field results, a field experiment was undertaken around an eelgrass meadow in Dinard, France....

How to account for flexible aquatic vegetation in large-scale morphodynamic models

Worldwide, aquatic vegetation is important for the physical and ecological condition of coastal areas. Unfortunately, this vegetation (e.g. seagrasses) is also under pressure due to human activities. Protection and restoration are cumbersome, particularly because the complex relations between vegetation and its environment are not yet well...

Modelling hydrodynamics in Eelgrass (Zostera Marina)

In many areas around the world, there is a large interest in the protection and restoration of aquatic vegetation, like eelgrass (Zostera marina), but little is known about the interaction of such vegetation with its environment. To improve this knowledge, a model has been developed that simulates this interaction between highly flexible...

The effect of sediment transport on eelgrass development – and vice versa

By changing flow patterns and sediment transport, aquatic vegetation can affect the development of estuarine bed topography. Besides, since the sediment transport also determines the amount of light available for photosynthetic growth, the presence of vegetation can also affect its own development. This selfsupporting interaction should be taken...

Macrophytes in estuarine gradients: Flow through flexible vegetation

Aquatic plants –or macrophytes- are an important part of coastal, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide, both from an ecological and an engineering viewpoint. Their meadows provide a wide range of ecosystem services: forming a physical protection of the shoreline, enhancing water quality and harbouring many other organisms. Unfortunately...

Modeling the interaction between flow and highly flexible aquatic vegetation

Aquatic vegetation has an important role in estuaries and rivers by acting as bed stabilizer, filter, food source and nursing area. However, macrophyte populations worldwide are under high anthropogenic pressure. Protection and restoration efforts will benefit from more insight into the interaction between vegetation, currents, waves and...

Modeling Decadal Salt Marsh Development: Variability of the Salt Marsh Edge Under Influence of Waves and Sediment Availability

Salt marshes can contribute to coastal protection, but the magnitude of the protection depends on the width of the marsh. The cross-shore width of the marsh is to a large extent determined by the delicate balance between seaward expansion and landward retreat. The influence of the magnitude of daily occurring mild weather conditions and...

Point Bar Development and Vegetation Succession on the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain, Russia

The 'Room for the River' strategy for Dutch river management asks for more information about morphodynamics and vegetation succession in natural rivers. In order to obtain such information, the Lower Volga River in Russia is chosen as a natural reference river for the Dutch Waal River. Objective of the project Morphodynamics Lower and Waal is to...