On the morphodynamic stability of intertidal environments and the role of vegetation

Highlights

• A tidal platform point model, coupling abiotic and biotic processes.
• The effects of the biofilm layer and Spartina or mangroves.
• Bio-Geomorphic feedbacks allow the system to reach intertidal stable states.
• Biofilm decreases the wave erosion diminishing the presence of submerged stables states.
• Salt marshes are more resilient to increasing sea level rise rates than mangroves areas.

Keywords

Ecogeomorphology, Biomorphodynamics, Biofilm, Sediment transport, Intertidal flat, Salt marsh