Abstract
Interactions between a patchy degraded Zostera noltei seagrass meadow and waves, currents, and sedimentary processes were analyzed from data obtained from a strongly wind-influenced micro-tidal brackish water lagoon in southeastern France. Measurements were conducted on offshore and foreshore morphology (topography, bathymetry), on hydrodynamics (waves, water levels, and currents) under different wind conditions within and outside the meadow, and on meadow biometry (shoot density, leaf length). The main impact of this patchy meadow on wind-wave transformations seems to be attenuation of waves further offshore than in the absence of vegetation. This attenuation is particularly notable above the meadow front edge, and is related to wave heights, water levels, and wave periods that are, in turn, dependent on wind intensity and fetch length. The data show that the patchy meadow does not attenuate small and short waves, especially when water levels are high, but is capable, like salt marshes and artificial seagrass, of attenuating relatively high and long waves. Notwithstanding its patchy and degraded character, the meadow also strongly influences the vertical distribution of currents. Whereas currents are strong and significantly influenced by wind and wind waves above the meadow, both waves and currents are dissipated in a transitional canopy-water layer. These wave and current modifications are reflected in the evolution of the seabed. Erosion and sedimentation are mainly controlled by the hydrodynamics but the seasonal state of the meadow plays a role by modulating the hydrodynamics. These substrate changes are, important, in turn, in influencing protection of the shoreline.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ackerman, J.D., and A. Okubo. 1993. Reduced mixing in a marine macrophyte canopy. Functional Ecology 7 (3): 305–309.
Anderson, M.E., and J.M. Smith. 2014. Wave attenuation by flexible idealized salt marsh vegetation. Coastal Engineering 83: 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.10.004.
Asano, T., S. Tsutsui, and T. Sakai. 1988. Wave damping characteristics due to seaweed. Proceedings of the 35th coastal engineering conference in Japan. JSCE 138–142. (in Japanese).
Asano, T., H. Deguchi, and N. Kobayashi. 1992. Interactions between water waves and vegetation. Proceedings of the 23 rd International Conference on Coastal Engineering. ASCE. 2710–2723.
Auby, I., and P.-J. Labourg. 1996. Seasonal dynamics of Zostera noltii hornem. In the bay of arcachon (France). Journal of Sea Research 35 (4): 269–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1385-1101(96)90754-6.
Barbier, E.B., E.W. Koch, B.R. Silliman, et al. 2008. Coastal ecosystem-based management with nonlinear ecological functions and values. Science 319 (5861): 321–323. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1150349.
Bernard, G., C.F. Boudouresque, and P. Picon. 2007. Long term changes in Zostera meadows in the Berre lagoon (Provence, Mediterranean Sea). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 73 (3-4): 617–629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2007.03.003.
Boller, M.L., and E. Carrington. 2006. In situ measurements of hydrodynamic forces imposed on Chondrus crispus Stackhouse. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 337 (2): 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.06.011.
Borsje, B.W., B.K. van Wesenbeeck, F. Dekker, P. Paalvast, T.J. Bouma, M.M. van Katwijk, and M.B. de Vries. 2011. How ecological engineering can serve in coastal protection. Ecological Engineering 37 (2): 113–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.11.027.
Bos, A.R., T.J. Bouma, G.L.J. de Kort, and M.M. van Katwijk. 2007. Ecosystem engineering by annual intertidal seagrass beds: Sediment accretion and modification. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 74 (1-2): 344–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2007.04.006.
Boscutti, F., I. Marcorin, M. Sigura, E. Bressan, F. Tamberlich, A. Vianello, and V. Casolo. 2015. Distribution modeling of seagrasses in brackish waters of Grado-Marano lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 164: 183–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2015.07.035.
Boudouresque, C.F., G. Pergent, C. Pergent-Martini, S. Ruitton, T. Thibaut, and M. Verlaque. 2016. The necromass of the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow: Fate, role, ecosystem services and vulnerability. Hydrobiologia 781 (1): 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2333-y.
Bouma, T.J., M.B. De Vries, E. Low, G. Peralta, I.C. Tanczos, J. Van de Koppel, and P.M.J. Herman. 2005. Trade-offs related to ecosystem engineering : A case study on stiffness of emerging macrophytes. Ecology 86 (8): 2187–2199. https://doi.org/10.1890/04-1588.
Bouma, T.J., L.A. van Duren, S. Temmerman, T. Claverie, A. Blanco-Garcia, T. Ysebaert, and P.M.J. Herman. 2007. Spatial flow and sedimentation patterns within patches of epibenthic structures: Combining field, flume and modelling experiments. Continental Shelf Research 27 (8): 1020–1045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2005.12.019.
Bradley, K., and C. Houser. 2009. Relative velocity of seagrass blades: Implications for wave attenuation in low-energy environments. Journal of Geophysical Research - Earth Surface 114. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JF000951
Cabaço, S., and R. Santos. 2007. Effects of burial and erosion on the seagrass Zostera noltii. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 340 (2): 204–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2006.09.003.
Cavallaro, L., C.L. Re, G. Paratore, A. Viviano, and E. Foti. 2011. Response of Posidonia oceanica to wave motion in shallow-waters. Preliminary experimental results. Coastal Engineering Proceedings 1 (32): 49. https://doi.org/10.9753/icce.v32.waves.49.
Chen, S.-N., L. Sanford, E. Koch, F. Shi, and E. North. 2007. A nearshore model to investigate the effects of seagrass bed geometry on wave attenuation and suspended sediment transport. Estuaries and Coasts 30 (2): 296–310. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02700172.
Chevallier, A. 1916. L’étang de Berre. Annales de l’Institut Océanographique VII: 90.
Christianen, M. J. A., J. van Belzen, P. M. J. Herman, M. M. van Katwijk, L. P. M. Lamers, P. J. M. van Leent, and T. J. Bouma. 2013. Low-canopy seagrass beds still provide important coastal protection services. PLoS One 8. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062413.
Coulombier, T., U. Neumeier, and P. Bernatchez. 2012. Sediment transport in a cold climate salt marsh (St. Lawrence estuary, Canada), the importance of vegetation and waves. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 101: 64–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2012.02.014.
De Boer, W.F. 2007. Seagrass-sediment interactions, positive feedbacks and critical thresholds for occurrence: A review. Hydrobiologia 591 (1): 5–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0780-9.
Elginoz, E., M.S. Kabdasli, and A. Tanik. 2011. Effects of Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows on storm waves. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 64: 373–377.
Fonseca, M.S., and J.A. Cahalan. 1992. A preliminary evaluation of wave attenuation by four species of seagrass. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 35 (6): 565–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-7714(05)80039-3.
Fonseca, M.S., and J.S. Fisher. 1986. A comparison of canopy friction and sediment movement between four species of seagrass with reference to their ecology and restoration. Marine Ecology Progress Series 29: 15–22. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps029015.
Fonseca, M.S., and M.A.R. Koehl. 2006. Flow in seagrass canopies: The influence of patch width. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 67 (1-2): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2005.09.018.
Fonseca, M.S., J.S. Fisher, J.C. Zieman, and G.W. Thayer. 1982. Influence of the seagrass, Zostera marina L., on current flow. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 15 (4): 351–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7714(82)90046-4.
Gambi, M.C., A.R.M. Nowell, and P.A. Jumars. 1990. Flume observations on flow dynamics in Zostera marina (eelgrass) beds. Marine Ecology Progress Series 61: 159–169. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps061159.
Ganthy, F., A. Sottolichio, and R. Verney. 2011a. The stability of vegetated tidal flats in a coastal lagoon through quasi in-situ measurements of sediment erodibility. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 64: 1500–1504.
Ganthy, F., A. Sottolichio, and R. Verney. 2011b. Seasonal modification of tidal flat sediment dynamics by seagrass meadows of Zostera noltii (Bassin d’Arcachon, France). Journal of Marine Systems. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2011.11.027.
Gillanders, B. 2006. Seagrasses, Fish, and Fisheries. In Seagrasses: Biology, Ecology and Conservation, 503–536. Netherlands: Springer.
Gratiot, N., A. Gardel, and E.J. Anthony. 2007. Trade-wind waves and mud dynamics on the French Guiana coast, South America: Input from ERA-40 wave data and field investigations. Marine Geology 236 (1-2): 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2006.09.013.
Hansen, J.C.R., and M. Reidenbach. 2012. Wave and tidally driven flows in eelgrass beds and their effect on sediment suspension. Marine Ecology Progress Series 448: 271–287. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09225.
Hansen, J.C.R., and M. Reidenbach. 2013. Seasonal growth and senescence of a Zostera marina seagrass meadow alters wave-dominated flow and sediment suspension within a Coastal Bay. Estuaries and Coasts 36 (6): 1099–1114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-013-9620-5.
Hansen, J.C.R., and M. Reidenbach. 2017. Turbulent mixing and fluid transport within Florida bay seagrass meadows. Advances in Water Resources 108: 205–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2017.08.001.
Horikawa, K. 1988. Nearshore Dynamics and Coastal Processes: Theory, Measurement and Predictive Models, Tokyo. University of Tokyo Press.
Jadhav, R.S. and Q. Chen, 2012. Field investigation of wave dissipation over salt marsh vegetation during tropical cyclone. Coastal Engineering Proceedings, [S.l.], n. 33, p. waves. 41, Oct. 2012. ISSN 2156–1028.
John, B.M., K.G. Shirlal, S. Rao, and C. Rajasekaran. 2016. Effect of artificial seagrass on wave attenuation and wave run-up. International Journal of Ocean and Climate Systems 7 (1): 14–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/1759313115623163.
Kobayashi, N., A.W. Raichle, and T. Asano. 1993. Wave attenuation by vegetation. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering. 119 (1): 30–48. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-950X(1993)119:1(30).
Koftis, T., P. Prinos, and V. Stratigaki. 2013. Wave damping over artificial Posidonia oceanica meadow: A large-scale experimental study. Coastal Engineering 73: 71–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2012.10.007.
Lefebvre, A., C.E.L. Thompson, and C.L. Amos. 2010. Influence of Zostera marina canopies on unidirectional flow, hydraulic roughness and sediment movement. Continental Shelf Research 30 (16): 1783–1794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2010.08.006.
Lowe, R. J., J. L. Falter, J. R. Koseff, S. G. Monismith, and M. J. Atkinson. 2007. Spectral wave flow attenuation within submerged canopies: Implications for wave energy dissipation. Journal of Geophysical Research, Oceans 112. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JC003605.
Luhar, M., and H. Nepf. 2013. From the blade scale to the reach scale: A characterization of aquatic vegetative drag. Advances in Water Resources 51: 305–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2012.02.002.
Madsen, J.D., P.A. Chambers, W.F. James, E.W. Koch, and D.F. Westlake. 2001. The interaction between water movement, sediment dynamics and submersed macrophytes. Hydrobiologia 444 (1/3): 71–84. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017520800568.
Manca, E., I. Cáceres, J.M. Alsina, V. Stratigaki, I. Townend, and C.L. Amos. 2012. Wave energy and wave-induced flow reduction by full-scale model Posidonia oceanica seagrass. Continental Shelf Research 50–51: 100–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2012.10.008.
Mendez, F.J., and I.J. Losada. 2004. An empirical model to estimate the propagation of random breaking and nonbreaking waves over vegetation fields. Coastal Engineering 51 (2): 103–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2003.11.003.
Méndez, F.J., I.J. Losada, and M.A. Losada. 1999. Hydrodynamics induced by wind waves in a vegetation field. Journal of Geophysical Research 104 (C8): 18383–18396. https://doi.org/10.1029/1999JC900119.
Möller, I., T. Spencer, J.R. French, D.J. Leggett, and M. Dixon. 1999. Wave transformation over salt marshes: A field and numerical modelling study from North Norfolk, England. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 49 (3): 411–426. https://doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1999.0509.
Neumeier, U. 2007. Velocity and turbulence variations at the edge of saltmarshes. Continental Shelf Research 27 (8): 1046–1059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2005.07.009.
Ondiviela, B., I.J. Losada, J.L. Lara, M. Maza, C. Galván, T.J. Bouma, and J. van Belzen. 2014. The role of seagrasses in coastal protection in a changing climate. Coastal Engineering 87: 158–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2013.11.005.
Paquier, A.E., S. Meulé, E.J. Anthony, and G. Bernard. 2014. Sedimentation and erosion patterns in a low shoot-density Zostera noltii meadow in the fetch-limited Berre lagoon, Mediterranean France. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 70: 563–567. https://doi.org/10.2112/SI70-095.1.
Paquier, A.E., J. Haddad, S. Lawler, and C.M. Ferreira. 2016. Quantification of the attenuation of storm surge components by a coastal wetland of the US mid Atlantic. Estuaries and Coasts 40 (4): 930–946. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-016-0190-1.
Paul, M., and C. L. Amos. 2011. Spatial and seasonal variation in wave attenuation over Zostera noltii. Journal of Geophysical Research, Oceans 116. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JC006797.
Paul, M., T.J. Bouma, and C.L. Amos. 2012. Wave attenuation by submerged vegetation: Combining the effect of organism traits and tidal current. Marine Ecology Progress Series 444: 31–41. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09489.
Peralta, G., L.A. van Duren, E.P. Morris, and T.J. Bouma. 2008. Consequences of shoot-density and stiffness for ecosystem engineering by benthic macrophytes in flow dominated areas : A hydrodynamic flume study. Marine Ecology Progress Series 368: 103–115. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07574.
Peterson, C.H., R.A. Luettich, F. Micheli, and G.A. Skilleter. 2004. Attenuation of water flow inside seagrass canopies of differing structure. Marine Ecology Progress Series 268: 81–92. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps268081.
Pujol, D., and H. Nepf. 2012. Breaker-generated turbulence in and above a seagrass meadow. Continental Shelf Research 49: 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2012.09.004.
Rigaud, S. 2011. Dynamique et Biodisponibilité des éléments traces métalliques dans les sédiments de l’étang de Berre. Ph.D. thesis. Université Paul Cézanne.
Sénéchal, N., H. Dupuis, P. Bonneton, H. Howa, and R. Pedreros. 2001. Observation of irregular wave transformation in the surf zone over a gently sloping sandy beach on the French Atlantic coastline. Oceanologica Acta 24 (6): 545–556. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0399-1784(01)01171-9.
Seymour, R., M. Tegner, P. Dayton, and P. Parnell. 1989. Storm wave induced mortality of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, in southern California. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 28 (3): 277–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7714(89)90018-8.
Short, A.D., and G. Masselink. 1999. Embayed and structurally controlled beaches. In Handbook of beach and Shoreface Morphodynamics, ed. A.D. Short, 230–250. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Short, F., T. Carruthers, W. Dennison, and M. Waycott. 2007. Global seagrass distribution and diversity: A bioregional model. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 350 (1-2): 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2007.06.012.
Soulsby, R. L., and J. D. Humphery. 1990. Field observations of wave-current interaction at the sea bed. In ed. O. T. Torum, A. Gudmestad, 413–428. Water Wave Kinematics.
Stapelton, D., and L. Huntley. 1995. Seabed stress Determainations using the inertial dissipation Dethord and the turbulent Kenetic energy method. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 20 (9): 807–815. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290200906.
Stora, G., and A. Arnoux. 1988. Effects on Mediterranean lagoon macrobenthos of a river diversion: Assessment and analytical review. In Natural and man-made hazards, ed. M.I. El-Sabh and T.S. Murty, 525–546. Netherlands: Springer.
Stratigaki, V., E. Manca, P. Prinos, I.J. Losada, J.L. Lara, M. Sclavo, C.L. Amos, I. Cáceres, and A. Sánchez-Arcilla. 2011. Large-scale experiments on wave propagation over Posidonia oceanica. Journal of Hydraulic Research 49 (sup1): 31–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2011.583388.
Umgiesser, G., M. Sclavo, S. Carniel, and A. Bergamasco. 2004. Exploring the bottom stress variability in the Venice lagoon. Journal of Marine Systems 5 (1-4): 161–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmarsys.2004.05.023.
Van Katwijk, M.M., A.R. Bos, D.C.R. Hermus, and W. Suykerbuyk. 2010. Sediment modification by seagrass beds: Muddification and sandification induced by plant cover and environmental conditions. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 89 (2): 175–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2010.06.008.
Wanless, H.R. 1981. Fining-upwards sedimentary sequences generated in seagrass beds. Journal of Sedimentary Research 51: 445–454. https://doi.org/10.1306/212F7CA2-2B24-11D7-8648000102C1865D.
Waycott, M., C.M. Duarte, T.J.B. Carruthers, et al. 2009. Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106 (30): 12377–12381. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0905620106.
Widdows, J., N.D. Pope, M.D. Brinsley, H. Asmus, and R.M. Asmus. 2008. Effects of seagrass beds (Zostera noltii and Z. marina) on near-bed hydrodynamics and sediment resuspension. Marine Ecology Progress Series 358: 125–126. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07338.
Winterwerp, J.C., R.F. de Graaff, J. Groeneweg, and A.P. Luijendijk. 2007. Modelling of wave damping at Guyana mud coast. Coastal Engineering 54 (3): 249–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2006.08.012.
Worcester, S.E. 1995. Effects of eelgrass beds on advection and turbulent mixing in low current and low shoot-density environments. Marine Ecology Progress Series 126: 223–232. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps126223.
Acknowledgements
We thank the reviewers and the Associate Editor for their constructive comments and suggestions which have been helpful in improving the manuscript. GIPREB staff (Guillaume Bernard, Nicolas Mayot, Florian Dandine, Vincent Faure) are thanked for the meadow mapping, field assistance, and tide data. Météo France provided the wind data. GLADYS, the French coastal research group, provided some of the instruments deployed in the course of the study. Members of GLADYS (especially Damien Sous), Doriane Delanghe and Thomas Stieglitz, are thanked for the useful discussions.
Funding
A.E. Paquier was provided PhD funding by the “Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur” Region, the European Union, GIPREB (Gestion intégrée, prospective, restauration Etang de Berre), and support from OSU-Institut Pythéas.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by David K. Ralston
Electronic supplementary material
(MP4 113 mb)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paquier, AE., Meulé, S., Anthony, E.J. et al. Wind-Induced Hydrodynamic Interactions With Aquatic Vegetation in a Fetch-Limited Setting: Implications for Coastal Sedimentation and Protection. Estuaries and Coasts 42, 688–707 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-00487-w
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-00487-w