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Hydrodynamics of heterogeneous distributions of benthic organisms in inter-tidal and shallow sub-tidal zones.
The inter-tidal and shallow sub-tidal zones support unique and fragile ecosystems that have adapted to survive in this highly stressed, spatially-limited environment. In addition to the stresses of shallow water waves, tidal wetting and drying and changes in temperature, salinity, oxygen and nutrient levels that accompany the tidal cycle, organisms in these environments have to cope with changes in hydro-morphology due to both natural processes and human coastal construction and with climate change. Several factors serve to make these organisms in UK waters particularly sensitive to, and thus particularly good sentinels of this last stressor. From an engineering perspective, these organisms may be expected to significantly alter wave and flow fields that encounter them and in many cases serve as effective dissipaters of hydrodynamic energy and thus natural forms of coastal protection and sediment retention. Although the interaction of benthic organisms, especially plants, with hydrodynamics is quite well-developed as a research field, there is still much to understand about these interactions in the context of the heterogeneous, fragmented spatial distributions these ecosystems often take up. In this seminar, I will present results from several laboratory flume experiments which have been carried out with the intention of developing our understanding of the ways in which marine benthic organisms in such heterogeneous distributions interact with, benefit from and are stressed by the hydrodynamic processes they encounter, and how their presence alters the hydrodynamic flow field. Our experiments have focussed on seagrasses and mussel beds. Our approach has been primarily reductionist, focussing on "units" of spatial distribution such as patches, patch edges and patch combinations. Key findings will be presented, their implications from both hydraulic and ecological perspectives discussed, and some thoughts on potentially fruitful future research put forward.
- Speaker
- Dr Andrew Folkard (Lancaster University)
- Venue
- FN, G013