Associations between the morphology and biomechanical properties of Sparganium erectum: Implications for survival and ecosystem engineering

Liffen, T.; Gurnell, Angela M.; O’Hare, Matthew T.; Pollen-Bankhead, Natasha; Simon, Andrew

doi:10.1016/j.aquabot.2012.11.001

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Much of the research on the role of vegetation in riparian physical processes highlights the importance of ecosystem engineering species, such as P. nigra or S . erectum (Liffen et al ., 2011, 2013a,b; Gurnell, ). Often, these are the species which initiate landform change and cause new sedimentary structures to develop.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Traits Relevant To Fluvial Geomorphology and Hydrological Interactions

O’Hare

Mountford

Maroto

et al. 2015

River Research & Apps

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Plants can slow water and trap sediment with their canopies and stabilise sediment with their roots. These influences are mediated by the characteristics or traits of the vegetation. Here, we review and investigate the flexibility, size, root form, clonal growth, perennation and Ellenberg F values of 459 European riverine species, considering their role in physical and ecological processes. We make use of existing plant trait datasets to create two typologies: one that identifies the role vegetation has in channel blockage (conveyance) and sediment accrual and a second typology, that indicates vegetation's ability to stabilize sediment. The two typologies are tools for interpreting botanical survey data collected using standard techniques across large numbers of sites as part of the European Union Water Framework Directive monitoring programmes. As such, they are designed to be used to indicate broad-scale patterns across sites rather than detailed insights into site-specific processes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Traits Relevant To Fluvial Geomorphology and Hydrological Interactions

O’Hare

Mountford

Maroto

et al. 2015

River Research & Apps

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“…By using extrapolation to higher Reynolds numbers, possible physical thresholds are implicitly neglected, for example thresholds for swaying of vegetation (Bradley and Houser, 2009;Méndez et al, 1999;Möller et al, 2014;Rupprecht et al, 2015) or vegetation collapse by uprooting or stem breakage (Liffen et al, 2013;Möller et al, 2014;Puijalon et al, 2011;Seymour and Tegner, 1989). Additionally, seasonal variations in aboveground biomass and mechanical fragility can considerably influence wave damping capacity Paul and Amos, 2011).…”

Section: Publicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-based flood protection: The efficiency of vegetated foreshores for reducing wave loads on coastal dikes

Vuik

Jonkman

Borsje

et al. 2016

Coastal Engineering

219

212

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This paper analyses the effect of vegetation on wave damping under severe storm conditions, based on a combination of field measurements and numerical modelling. The field measurements of wave attenuation by vegetation were performed on two salt marshes with two representative but contrasting coastal wetland vegetation types: cordgrass (Spartina anglica) and grassweed (Scirpus maritimus). The former is found in salty environments, whereas the latter is found in brackish environments. The measurements have added to the range with the highest water depths and wave heights presented in the literature so far. A numerical wave model (SWAN) has been calibrated and validated using the new field data. It appeared that the model was well capable of reproducing the observed decay in wave height over the salt marsh. The model has been applied to compute the reduction of the incident wave height on a dike for various realistic foreshore configurations and hydraulic loading conditions. Additionally, the efficiency of vegetated foreshores in reducing wave loads on the dike has been investigated, where wave loads were quantified using a computed wave run-up height and wave overtopping discharge. The outcomes show that vegetated foreshores reduce wave loads on coastal dikes significantly, also for the large inundation depths that occur during storms and with the vegetation being in winter state. The effect of the foreshore on the wave loads varies with wave height to water depth ratio on the foreshore. The presence of vegetation on the foreshore extends the range of water depths for which a foreshore can be applied for effective reduction of wave loads, and prevents intense wave breaking on the foreshore to occur. This research demonstrates that vegetated foreshores can be considered as a promising supplement to conventional engineering methods for dike reinforcement.

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“…S . erectum has been shown to act as an important physical ecosystem engineer in low‐energy British rivers because of its resistance to uprooting and its ability to retain fine sediment and produce dense networks of rhizomes that reinforce and protect retained sediment (Liffen et al ., 2011, 2013 a and b). These traits allow this and other emergent aquatic species to create landforms in the channel margins and in the centre of river channels where the water is shallow, so facilitating colonization by other plant species as the landforms emerge above the low‐flow water level (Gurnell, ; Gurnell et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation–Hydrogeomorphology Interactions in a Low‐Energy, Human‐Impacted River

Gurnell

Grabowski

2015

River Research & Apps

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The geomorphological dynamics of rivers have been traditionally explained largely by the physical processes of water flow, and sediment erosion and deposition, but the significant role of a third element, vegetation, in driving geomorphological changes has been increasingly highlighted recently. However, few studies have documented how both aquatic and woody riparian plants interact with fluvial processes to induce landform development and initiate channel adjustment. This paper presents analyses of historical maps, recent aerial images and field observations from the River Frome (Dorset, UK), which, as a result of human pressures, has been subject to an increased supply of sand and finer sediment, particularly over the last 50-60 years. Analysis of these information sources indicates that this low-energy river has adjusted to this delivery of finer sediment by narrowing and increasing its sinuosity. The analysis also indicates that this has been achieved through interactions amongst vegetation, water flow and sediment. Emergent aquatic macrophytes were observed to retain sediment, which leads to the development of submerged shelves that aggrade and become colonized by other plant species to form bars, berms and benches, eventually leading to the extension of river banks into the channel and also the formation of islands. Where woody riparian vegetation is well developed, complex geomorphic changes were observed, with fine sediment being absorbed into a diverse mosaic of geomorphic features initiated by living trees and large wood. These observations underline the importance of vegetation for the geomorphic dynamics and adjustment of lowland, low-energy rivers and its potential for inclusion in the development of sustainable, process-based river management and restoration strategies.

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Associations between the morphology and biomechanical properties of Sparganium erectum: Implications for survival and ecosystem engineering

Cited by 18 publications

References 38 publications

Plant Traits Relevant To Fluvial Geomorphology and Hydrological Interactions

Plant Traits Relevant To Fluvial Geomorphology and Hydrological Interactions

Nature-based flood protection: The efficiency of vegetated foreshores for reducing wave loads on coastal dikes

Vegetation–Hydrogeomorphology Interactions in a Low‐Energy, Human‐Impacted River

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