Plant traits determining biogeomorphic landscape dynamics: A study on clonal expansion strategies driving cliff formation at marsh edges

Despite the well-recognized importance of plant traits for biogeomorphic development landscapes, our understanding remains limited how species-specific respond to and serve as drivers sedimentary dynamics within a landscape. By manipulating series laboratory experiments, using mesocosms flume, we examined differences in expansion strategy, i.e., clonal step-length laterally expanding tillers, both sediment type drive cliff formation persistence. We compared three marsh species, with contrasting traits, that are dominant many estuaries worldwide: Spartina anglica, Scirpus maritimus, Phragmites australis. Our results revealed S. anglica tussocks tend have high shoot density due short step-length, whereas maritimus were much more diffuse longer step-length. P. australis showed intermediate traits. Clonal did show within-species variation response texture, but remained most important. Species smaller step-lengths, such this study, likely induce cliffs at edge by driving larger heights also having lower capacity grow out from cliffs. findings thus illustrate dynamic landscape features like edges depend on species. This enhances current edges, is instructive role distinct dynamics.