Deakin University
Browse

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

Version 2 2024-06-19, 17:56
Version 1 2023-03-17, 04:49
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-19, 17:56 authored by JF Rodríguez, PM Saco, S Sandi, N Saintilan, G Riccardi
AbstractThe 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

1-12

Location

Berlin, Eng.

ISSN

2041-1723

eISSN

2041-1723

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Issue

1

Publisher

Springer

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC