Intertidal Marsh Hydrology and Geomorphology

0229358 Voulgaris海平面上升和沿海城市化对潮沟生境的影响未知，因为潮汐强迫和沼泽形态之间的反馈没有很好的约束。 在南大西洋湾，潮沟网络侵蚀沼泽表面，产生微妙但界限分明的流域。 我们建议进行探索性研究，旨在阐明过程和形式之间的相互作用，在一个原始的沼泽，在南大西洋湾沼泽的代表。 本提案的目标是分析沼泽盆地的线性，空中和3-D结构，并研究潮汐流和地形之间的相互作用如何影响盆地的演变和稳定性。我们的研究目标是基于陆地地貌模型的修改和应用，这些模型依赖于流域流域面积（过程）来解释河流网络（形式）。以类似的方式，我们试图确定，如果一个小溪流域面积可以用来表征小溪的形式，并进一步定义这样的小溪流域面积。这可以通过使用沼泽地区的高分辨率DTM（数字地形模型）并评估其潮汐小溪盆地的形态来实现。DTM中确定的盆地的描绘（使用地形高点）将与由流量划分定义的盆地进行比较，在潮汐环境中可能与沼泽地形高点不一致。将使用二维深度平均有限元流体动力学模型定义不同潮汐阶段和范围的流量划分。这两种类型的流域将进行比较和分析的小溪长度，流域面积，坡度和排水密度，高程和淹没频率，这些参数将进行测试的规模不变性。初步试点研究将在南卡罗来纳州北入口的一个原始沼泽系统进行。这项工作的结果将有助于制定潮间带生境恢复和重建的指导方针。

0229358VoulgarisSea level rise and coastal urbanization have unknown effects on tidal creek habitats because feedback between tidal forcing and marsh morphology are not well constrained. In the south Atlantic Bight, tidal creek networks etch marsh surfaces and produce subtle but well-defined drainage basins. We propose to conduct exploratory research designed to elucidate the interactions between process and form in a pristine marsh, representative of marshes in the south Atlantic Bight. The objectives of this proposal are to analyze the linear, aerial and 3-D structure of a marsh basin, and investigate how interactions between tidal flow and topography influence basin evolution and stability. Our research goal is based on the modification and application of terrestrial geomorphology models that rely on the watershed basin area (process) to explain river networks (form). In a similar manner we seek to identify if a creek basin area can be used to characterize creek form and further to define such creek basin area. This can be accomplished using high-resolution DTM (digital terrain model) of a marsh area and evaluating the morphology of its tidal creek basins Delineation of basins identified in the DTM (using topographic highs) will be compared to basins defined by flow divides, which in a tidal environment might not coincide with the marsh topographic highs. Flow divides will be defined for various tidal stages and ranges using a 2-D depth averaged, finite element hydrodynamic model. Both types of basins will be compared and analyzed for creek length, basin area, slope and drainage density, hypsometry and inundation frequency, and these parameters will be tested for scale invariance. This initial pilot study will be carried at a location in North Inlet, SC a pristine marsh system. The results of this work will help set guidelines for intertidal zone habitat restoration and rehabilitation.