Based on a field observation at the Vinh Quang coast in northern Vietnam, the characteristics of wave reduction due to the drag force of one mangrove species, Sonneratia sp., were quantitatively analyzed. The reduction rate of sea waves in this area changed substantially with the tidal phase, due to the unique vertical configuration of Sonneratia sp. At the shallow range of water depth, since the shape of pneumatophores of Sonneratia sp. tapers off upward, the effect of drag force by these roots on the wave reduction decreased with the increase in the water level, resulting in a decrease in the rate of wave reduction. On the other hand, when water levels rose above the height of thickly spread branches and leaves of these trees, the rate of wave reduction increased again with an increase in the water level. Further, at this high range of water level, the rate of wave reduction depended strongly on the incident wave height. These results indicate that the thickly grown mangrove leaves effectively dissipate huge wave energy which occurs during storms such as typhoons, and protect coastal areas. Referring to the past studies, our results suggest that the hydrodynamic knowledge in various mangrove conditions such as the vertical configuration of mangrove species, their vegetation conditions, water depth, incident wave condition and the relationships between these factors should be further accumulated and then quantitatively formulated in order to protect coastal areas from severe sea waves.

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Both the drag force and the horizontal eddy viscosity play a dominant role in the tidal-scale hydrodynamics in mangrove wetlands. Using field observations and basic fluid mechanics laws, the drag coefficient and the coefficient of dynamic eddy viscosity are found to be predictable as a function of the Reynolds Number based on the characteristic length scale of the vegetation. The characteristic length scale of the vegetation varies greatly with vegetation species, vegetation density and tidal elevation. Both these coefficients decrease with increasing values of the Reynolds Number. At the low range of the Reynolds Number both these coefficients reach much higher values than those typical of vegetation-poor estuaries and rivers. Consequently, the tidal flow within mangrove areas depends to a large degree upon the submerged vegetation density that varies with the tidal stage. These findings may be applied also in other vegetated tidal wetlands, including salt marshes.