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Potential increase in coastal wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise suggested by considering hydrodynamic attenuation effects

journal contribution
posted on 2023-03-17, 04:49 authored by JF Rodríguez, PM Saco, S Sandi, N Saintilan, G Riccardi
The future of coastal wetlands and their ecological value depend on their capacity to adapt to the interacting effects of human impacts and sea-level rise. Even though extensive wetland loss due to submergence is a possible scenario, its magnitude is highly uncertain due to limited understanding of hydrodynamic and bio-geomorphic interactions over time. In particular, the effect of man-made drainage modifications on hydrodynamic attenuation and consequent wetland evolution is poorly understood. Predictions are further complicated by the presence of a number of vegetation types that change over time and also contribute to flow attenuation. Here, we show that flow attenuation affects wetland vegetation by modifying its wetting-drying regime and inundation depth, increasing its vulnerability to sea-level rise. Our simulations for an Australian subtropical wetland predict much faster wetland loss than commonly used models that do not consider flow attenuation.

History

Journal

Nature Communications

Volume

8

Article number

16094

Pagination

16094-

Location

England

ISSN

2041-1723

eISSN

2041-1723

Language

en

Issue

1

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC