Iris Möller

Does vegetation prevent wave erosion of salt marsh edges

This study challenges the paradigm that salt marsh plants prevent lateral wave-induced erosion along wetland edges by binding soil with live roots and clarifies the role of vegetation in protecting the coast. In both laboratory flume studies and controlled field experiments, we show that common salt marsh plants do not significantly mitigate the total amount of erosion along a wetland edge. We found that the soil type is the primary variable that influences the lateral erosion rate and although plants do not directly reduce wetland edge erosion, they may do so indirectly via modification of soil parameters. We conclude that coastal vegetation is best-suited to modify and control sedimentary dynamics in response to gradual phenomena like sea-level rise or tidal forces, but is less well-suited to resist punctuated disturbances at the seaward margin of salt marshes, specifically breaking waves.

Wave dissipation over macro-tidal saltmarshes: Effects of marsh edge typology and vegetation change

ABSTRACT To achieve sustainable coastal management and planning, the interaction between fine-grained - in particular, vegetated - intertidal environments and incoming waves needs to be better understood. Previous studies have established that wave attenuation over saltmarshes can be significantly greater than over unvegetated intertidal surfaces. However, detailed, quantitative information on the effect of marsh elevation in the tidal frame, marsh width, seaward marsh edge configuration (e.g. cliffed versus ramped marshes), seasonal changes in marsh surface roughness (e.g. creek density, vegetation composition) and incident wave conditions, however, has been lacking. Based on a 10-month-long wave/tide dataset from two sites on the Dengie marshes, eastern England, this study addresses the effect of (i) marsh edge topography; (ii) marsh width; (iii) inundation depths; and (iv) seasonal changes in marsh surface vegetation cover on wave height and wave energy dissipation. Directional waves and water levels were recorded at 21 locations across both shallow-sloping and cliffed (cliff height of ca. 1.5m) intertidal profiles. In addition, changes in marsh surface vegetation cover and composition were recorded on a seasonal basis. Wave height attenuation over 310m of the shallow-sloping profile averaged 92 % over the monitoring period. Further analysis shows that the most rapid reduction in wave heights occurs over the most seaward 10 meters of permanent saltmarsh vegetation, where wave height attenuation averaged 2.1% and 1.1% per meter at the shallow-sloping and cliffed site respectively. Across the mudflat and the saltmarsh as a whole, wave height dissipation rates were significantly lower with an average of 0.1% and 0.5% per meter respectively. The presence of a saltmarsh cliff increased average wave heights by up to 0.5% per meter. Observed wave height attenuation showed a seasonal pattern at both sites (average wave energy attenuation near the marsh edge was highest in September – November and lowest in March – July) and appears to be linked to the cycle of seasonal vegetation growth. The study provides criteria for the assessment of the wave dissipation potential of marshes characterised by different widths, edge configurations and slopes, variability of water depths, and seasonal variations in vegetation cover/density.

Vertical accretion versus elevational adjustment in UK saltmarshes: An evaluation of alternative methodologies

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of vertical accretion from marker horizons and marsh-elevation change from sedimentation-erosion tables (SET) were made in selected marshes along the East Anglian coast of the UK in order to address the following objectives: (1) to ascertain the validity of treating accretion measurements obtained within tidally dominated, minerogenic saltmarshes as equivalent to surface elevation changes; (2) to explore the implications, in terms of physical and biological processes, of discrepancies between separately measured vertical accretion and elevation change within contrasting marsh types. Data were collected from several marsh environments at Scolt Head Island and Stiffkey on the North Norfolk coast and at an experimental managed realignment project near Tollesbury, Essex. Scolt Head Island was selected for its long-term datasets of marsh accretion, Stiffkey for its contrasting open coast-back barrier settings, and Tollesbury for its experimental management, in order to illustrate the potential application of the SET method and evaluate the relationship between vertical accretion and elevation change in a variety of marsh settings. The relationship between vertical accretion and elevation change varied widely among marsh settings of different age and height (within the tidal frame) at Scolt Head Island and Stiffkey. Rates of vertical accretion and elevation change were similar in the older and midheight settings on Scolt Head Island, indicating control of elevation change by surface accretionary processes (e.g. sediment deposition). However, subsurface processes controlled elevation at three of the marsh sites. Spartina Marsh, the youngest and lowest of the back barrier settings at Scolt Head Island, exhibited continuous shallow subsidence (vertical accretion greater than elevation change) over a 4-year period, implying that compaction controls elevation change. In the upper part of Hut Marsh and the interior of the Stiffkey marshes, elevation change exceeded vertical accretion suggesting that subsurface processes (e.g. organic accumulation) controlled elevation in these settings. Surface accretionary processes control elevation change in both the highly dynamic, outer marsh at Stiffkey and the low, restored marsh at Tollesbury. Despite the occurrence of shallow subsidence, all sites gained elevation at an annual rate comparable to that of sea-level rise. In summary, the SET provides the means to critically evaluate the influence of vertical accretion measures on elevation and represents an improved method by which to evaluate the vulnerability of a marsh to sea-level rise.

Solution scanning as a key policy tool: identifying management interventions to help maintain and enhance regulating ecosystem services

The major task of policy makers and practitioners when confronted with a resource management problem is to decide on the potential solution(s) to adopt from a range of available options. However, this process is unlikely to be successful and cost effective without access to an independently verified and comprehensive available list of options. There is currently burgeoning interest in ecosystem services and quantitative assessments of their importance and value. Recognition of the value of ecosystem services to human well-being represents an increasingly important argument for protecting and restoring the natural environment, alongside the moral and ethical justifications for conservation. As well as understanding the benefits of ecosystem services, it is also important to synthesize the practical interventions that are capable of maintaining and/or enhancing these services. Apart from pest regulation, pollination, and global climate regulation, this type of exercise has attracted relatively little attention. Through a systematic consultation exercise, we identify a candidate list of 296 possible interventions across the main regulating services of air quality regulation, climate regulation, water flow regulation, erosion regulation, water purification and waste treatment, disease regulation, pest regulation, pollination and natural hazard regulation. The range of interventions differs greatly between habitats and services depending upon the ease of manipulation and the level of research intensity. Some interventions have the potential to deliver benefits across a range of regulating services, especially those that reduce soil loss and maintain forest cover. Synthesis and applications: Solution scanning is important for questioning existing knowledge and identifying the range of options available to researchers and practitioners, as well as serving as the necessary basis for assessing cost effectiveness and guiding implementation strategies. We recommend that it become a routine part of decision making in all environmental policy areas.

Review of the evidence base for ecosystem-based approaches for adaptation to climate change

BackgroundEcosystem-based approaches for adaptation (EbA) integrate the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services into an overall strategy for helping people adapt to climate change. To date, insight into these approaches has often been based on reports from isolated anecdotal case studies. Although these are informative, and provide evidence that people are using ecosystems to adapt, they provide rather limited insight in terms of measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of EbA, especially when compared with technical or structural adaptation interventions. The body of scientific evidence indicating how effective such approaches are is lacking in some aspects. Where evidence does exist it is often dispersed across a range of related fields, such as natural resource management, disaster risk reduction and agroecology. To date, there has been little attempt to systematically assemble and analyse this evidence. Therefore, the current state of evidence regarding the merits or otherwise of EbA is unknown and it has not been possible to identify prevailing knowledge gaps to inform research and analysis, which will enable policymakers to compare EbA with other adaptation options.MethodsThis protocol details the methodology to be used to conduct a systematic map of peer-reviewed published journal papers and a limited selection of grey literature, to give a methodical overview of the state of the evidence base for EbA effectiveness, and to identify the current knowledge gaps. It addresses the following question: What is the state of the evidence base regarding the ability of ecosystem-based approaches for adaptation to help people adapt to the impacts of climate change?

Stormy geomorphology: geomorphic contributions in an age of climate extremes

The increasing frequency and/or severity of extreme climate events are becoming increasingly apparent over multi‐decadal timescales at the global scale, albeit with relatively low scientific confidence. At the regional scale, scientific confidence in the future trends of extreme event likelihood is stronger, although the trends are spatially variable. Confidence in these extreme climate risks is muddied by the confounding effects of internal landscape system dynamics and external forcing factors such as changes in land use and river and coastal engineering. Geomorphology is a critical discipline in disentangling climate change impacts from other controlling factors, thereby contributing to debates over societal adaptation to extreme events. We review four main geomorphic contributions to flood and storm science. First, we show how palaeogeomorphological and current process studies can extend the historical flood record while also unraveling the complex interactions between internal geomorphic dynamics, human impacts and changes in climate regimes. A key outcome will be improved quantification of flood probabilities and the hazard dimension of flood risk. Second, we present evidence showing how antecedent geomorphological and climate parameters can alter the risk and magnitude of landscape change caused by extreme events. Third, we show that geomorphic processes can both mediate and increase the geomorphological impacts of extreme events, influencing societal risk. Fourthly, we show the potential of managing flood and storm risk through the geomorphic system, both near‐term (next 50 years) and longer‐term. We recommend that key methods of managing flooding and erosion will be more effective if risk assessments include palaeodata, if geomorphological science is used to underpin nature‐based management approaches, and if land‐use management addresses changes in geomorphic process regimes that extreme events can trigger. We argue that adopting geomorphologically‐grounded adaptation strategies will enable society to develop more resilient, less vulnerable socio‐geomorphological systems fit for an age of climate extremes.

Using hyperspectral imaging for the assessment of mudflat surface stability

Abstract The successful management of fine-grained coastal environments relies on an understanding of, and an ability to predict, their likely future behavior. The latter depends not only on the hydrodynamic conditions to which these coastal systems are exposed, but also on characteristic surface properties that determine erosion shear strength and thus surface stability. Due to the inaccessibility of intertidal areas, precise ground-based measurements of mudflat stability are difficult to conduct. Remote sensing can provide full spatial coverage and non-intrusive measurement. As stability changes on mudflats are linked to subtle differences in mudflat surface characteristics, they can potentially be mapped by hyperspectral data. This paper reports on a study aimed at assessing the suitability of hyperspectral data for estimating mudflat characteristics related to stability. Hyperspectral images were collected along with near contemporary ground measurements. An unsupervised classification resulted in a map that reproduced observed thematic and topographic features, thus highlighting the close link between topography and surface sedimentary characteristics resulting in distinct spectral signatures. Multiple regression analysis was used to relate surface characteristics to hyperspectral data to construct regression equations. Erosion shear stress was estimated directly from the hyper-spectral data and also by a relationship with surface characteristics. The results of the thematic class map matched well with the known situation at the site during image acquisition. The quantitative information on surface characteristics suggest that the use of hyperspectral data for the assessment of erosion shear stress, surface stability, and thus the likely future behaviour in this dynamic environment can contribute to a significant improvement in the information needed for the successful management of shallow coastal systems.

Remote sensing of geomorphological and ecological change in response to saltmarsh managed realignment, The Wash, UK

An integrated remote sensing approach quantified saltmarsh dynamics in response to a sudden change in surface elevation due to a saltmarsh restoration scheme. The biogeomorphological relationship between surface elevation and saltmarsh presence occurs over the long-term so can be difficult to observe, though the ‘managed realignment’ of coastal defences provides a unique experimental opportunity to study this relationship. Realignment at Freiston Shore, Lincolnshire, UK in August 2002 caused a sudden and high-magnitude sediment input into the local coastal system, significantly increasing the intertidal surface elevation. The resulting impacts on the external, fronting saltmarsh were quantified by aerial photography and airborne multispectral imagery. Algal and pioneer saltmarsh boundary positions were calculated from 1984 to 2006, with the latter zone migrating slowly seaward pre-realignment (3.8 m a−1), but advancing significantly post-realignment (21.3 m a−1). Classification of five-year multispectral imagery accurately showed subtle changes in vegetation community composition within these boundaries. The realignment site was also colonized rapidly compared to other restoration sites, due to its high starting surface elevation. This study shows how, with sufficient sediment input and accommodation space, coastal management decisions can release intertidal surfaces from physical constraints to saltmarsh colonization.

Where Local Matters: Impacts of a Major North Sea Storm Surge

Storm surge impacts on low-lying coasts threaten vulnerable human communities on a global scale. On 5–6 December 2013, the margins of the southern North Sea experienced the most significant storm surge in 60 years. Detailed ground surveys immediately following the surge documented considerable variability in inundation levels, with implications for surge forecasting and societal responses to extreme coastal floods.

Large-Scale Classification of the East Anglian Coastline, UK

The East Anglian coastline (UK) is used as a case study to illustrate an innovative quantitative approach to large-scale beach classification. This encompasses a systematic application of a statistical analysis technique to beach volume change, representing the spatial variability of the inter-tidal beach. This technique is used to classify the East Anglia coastline into regions of similar inter-tidal profile behaviour. Classification results can be used to inform ongoing debates about the location and boundaries of coastal management units. The technique proposed in this paper is generic and can be applied elsewhere.