Effect of artificial seagrass on hydrodynamic thresholds for the early establishment of Zostera marina

verfasst von

Jana Carus, Carmen Arndt, Tjeerd Bouma, Boris Schröder, Maike Paul

Abstract

Seagrass meadows have disappeared on many coastal sections due to anthropogenic disturbances, diseases, and/or eutrophication. To facilitate informed seagrass restoration, we i) quantified the hydrodynamic dislodgement thresholds for newly transplanted Z. marina shoots, and ii) tested the effect of artificial seagrass (ASG) as a hydrodynamic protection measure. Experiments were carried out by planting Z. marina rhizomes with living shoots into a sediment bed and exposing them to a range of wave and current conditions in a flume. The use of ASG significantly reduced wave height, as well as current velocity. The applied waves led to the development of ripples whereas currents led to erosion of the sediment bed. The number of shoots that were uprooted and dislodged increased with increasing bed shear stress and erosion. By reducing bed shear stress, the ASG raised the input current velocity threshold, which the transplanted shoots were able to withstand. The present study offers insight into the effect of artificial seagrass (ASG) on wave and current attenuation, as well as sediment erosion and shoot dislodgement. Our results help to inform the setting of hydrodynamic thresholds for the early establishment of Z. marina and to define the improvement of hydrodynamic conditions by ASG.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Ludwig-Franzius-Institut für Wasserbau, Ästuar- und Küsteningenieurwesen

Externe Organisation(en)

Technische Universität Braunschweig
Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde (BfG)
Hochschule Hannover (HsH)
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research - NIOZ
Utrecht University
Berlin-Brandenburgisches Institut für Biodiversitätsforschung (BBIB)

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Journal of Ecohydraulics

Band

7

Seiten

17-27

Anzahl der Seiten

11

ISSN

2470-5357

Publikationsdatum

2022

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Tief- und Ingenieurbau, Gewässerkunde und -technologie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 14 – Lebensraum Wasser

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1080/24705357.2020.1858197 (Zugang: Geschlossen)
https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/421126 (Zugang: Offen)