Conquering New Frontiers: The Effect of Vegetation Establishment and Environmental Interactions on the Expansion of Tidal Marsh Systems

Abstract Tidal marshes are dynamic systems whose lateral expansion depends on various biologically, physically, and geomorphologically controlled small- large-scale feedback networks. Due to the bimodal existence of two landscape states at tidal marsh edge (vegetated flat bare flat), high wave energy affecting foremost seaward (pioneer) zone marshes, plant seedlings face challenges: 1) successful seed settling germination or clonal establishment under non-optimal conditions, 2) a variety abiotic stresses after establishment. Modelling laboratory studies have addressed reciprocal relationship especially between hydrodynamic sedimentary forces vegetation traits revealed fundamental mechanisms feedbacks. Nevertheless, validations findings from artificial environments in natural ecosystems still lacking. In this review, we present current state literature vegetation-abiotic interactions, focusing adaptation propagules what effect they may prospective evolution marshes.