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A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kirwan, ML; Murray, AB
Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
April 2007

The evolution of tidal marsh platforms and interwoven channel networks cannot be addressed without treating the two-way interactions that link biological and physical processes. We have developed a 3D model of tidal marsh accretion and channel network development that couples physical sediment transport processes with vegetation biomass productivity. Tidal flow tends to cause erosion, whereas vegetation biomass, a function of bed surface depth below high tide, influences the rate of sediment deposition and slope-driven transport processes such as creek bank slumping. With a steady, moderate rise in sea level, the model builds a marsh platform and channel network with accretion rates everywhere equal to the rate of sea-level rise, meaning water depths and biological productivity remain temporally constant. An increase in the rate of sea-level rise, or a reduction in sediment supply, causes marsh-surface depths, biomass productivity, and deposition rates to increase while simultaneously causing the channel network to expand. Vegetation on the marsh platform can promote a metastable equilibrium where the platform maintains elevation relative to a rapidly rising sea level, although disturbance to vegetation could cause irreversible loss of marsh habitat.

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Published In

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI

EISSN

1091-6490

ISSN

0027-8424

Publication Date

April 2007

Volume

104

Issue

15

Start / End Page

6118 / 6122

Related Subject Headings

  • Wetlands
  • Water Movements
  • Time Factors
  • Plant Development
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Ecosystem
  • Computer Simulation
  • Biomass
  • Biological Evolution
 

Citation

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Kirwan, M. L., & Murray, A. B. (2007). A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(15), 6118–6122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0700958104
Kirwan, Matthew L., and A Brad Murray. “A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 104, no. 15 (April 2007): 6118–22. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0700958104.
Kirwan ML, Murray AB. A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2007 Apr;104(15):6118–22.
Kirwan, Matthew L., and A. Brad Murray. “A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 104, no. 15, Apr. 2007, pp. 6118–22. Epmc, doi:10.1073/pnas.0700958104.
Kirwan ML, Murray AB. A coupled geomorphic and ecological model of tidal marsh evolution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2007 Apr;104(15):6118–6122.
Journal cover image

Published In

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI

EISSN

1091-6490

ISSN

0027-8424

Publication Date

April 2007

Volume

104

Issue

15

Start / End Page

6118 / 6122

Related Subject Headings

  • Wetlands
  • Water Movements
  • Time Factors
  • Plant Development
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Geologic Sediments
  • Ecosystem
  • Computer Simulation
  • Biomass
  • Biological Evolution