Modeling Decadal Salt Marsh Development: Variability of the Salt Marsh Edge Under Influence of Waves and Sediment Availability

Salt marshes can contribute to coastal protection, but the magnitude of protection depends on width marsh. The cross-shore marsh is a large extent determined by delicate balance between seaward expansion and landward retreat. influence daily occurring mild weather conditions sediment availability variability salt has not been systematically assessed. This paper investigates how homogeneous hydrodynamic forcing, combined with availability, affects biophysical development, more specifically retreat marshes. dynamic assessed modeling online-coupled hydrodynamics, morphodynamics vegetation growth using numerical Delft3D-Flexible Mesh model, module. Simulated patterns around edge resembled field observations, as well simulated temporal lateral position edge. In extended at low wave forcing (0.00 m; 0.05 m), retreated higher (0.10 0.15 m). With increasing physical stress, was found lower elevations, indicating an unhealthy system retreating due mortality, whereas decreasing stresses result in edge, enabling expansion. suggests importance response time stress. Yet, forced waves able switch from retrogradational expansional behavior supply increased.