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Experiment-supported modelling of salt marsh establishment
Poppema, D.W.; Willemsen, P.W.J.M.; de Vries, M.B.; Zhu, Z.; Borsje, B.W.; Hulscher, S.J.M.H. (2019). Experiment-supported modelling of salt marsh establishment. Ocean Coast. Manag. 168: 238-250. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.10.039
In: Ocean & Coastal Management. Elsevier Science: Barking. ISSN 0964-5691; e-ISSN 1873-524X, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Author keywords
    Windows of opportunity framework; Seedling establishment; Vegetation dynamics; Ecological engineering; Design tool

Authors  Top 
  • Poppema, D.W.
  • Willemsen, P.W.J.M., more
  • de Vries, M.B., more
  • Zhu, Z., more
  • Borsje, B.W.
  • Hulscher, S.J.M.H., more

Abstract
    Recently, the use of salt marshes in front of hard structures is increasingly proposed as a more sustainable coastal protection measure. Yet, salt marsh restoration and creation is often hampered by the lack of a thorough understanding of initial vegetation establishment. Recent studies highlight the importance of bed level change for salt marsh development. In this study we continue the examination of the impact of bed level change on salt marsh development, focussing on the prediction of salt marsh establishment and the implications for coastal management. First, a test with Spartina anglica seedlings (Cordgrass) in a wave flume showed that long-term (seasonal) bed level change is more important for seedling survival than direct wave impact at the shoot. Therefore, we subsequently incorporated bed level change in the Windows of Opportunity (WoO) framework. Lastly, this revised WoO framework was applied to the design of the Marconi pioneer salt marsh (The Netherlands). Combining the WoO framework with a morphodynamic model (Delft3D) showed its potential for salt marsh design. The framework can be used to determine whether salt marsh establishment is possible, to find out which conditions are limiting establishment and to design engineering measures creating the conditions that facilitate salt marsh establishment.

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