14 Tides and Waves on Vegetated Coasts
14.1 Introduction
Quantifying coastal and ocean processes is a principal objective of modern
practice in coastal and ocean engineering and oceanography. In particular we
seek a predictive capability for (Sobey, 1993): a) wave and current patterns on
the continental shelf, in the nearshore zone, in coastal bays and estuaries, and
in tidal wetlands, b) wave and current interactions with marine structures, in
applications ranging from offshore platforms, ocean outfalls and breakwaters
to coral reefs and wetland restoration, c) contaminant transport in the coastal
environment, including the transport and fate of surface oil slicks, transport of
suspended solids (salinity, sediment, nitrogen, pesticides, etc.) and others.
However, the purposes for which we predict are often conflicting. For example, those between heavy engineering structures, recreational activities and
environmental protection. We are living in the age of environmental awareness,
with increasing demands on minimizing negative impact of human activity on
the environment. The environmental factors become more and more important
in traditional marine developments.
The necessity for inclusion of environmental requirements is clearly seen on
vegetated coasts, especially those in tropical climates. In contrast to the nonvegetated coasts, the understanding of physical processes at vegetated coasts
is not adequate enough to develop effective management plans or engineering
designs of coastal developments which are today subjected to very stringent
requirements to minimize their impact on the environment.
In tropical climates, most coastlines are vegetated. Many inter-tidal mudflats
are colonized by mangrove trees, with branching root systems and twisted
trunks and branches that create resistance to water motion and stabilize the
coastline. Mangrove forests provide a variety of goods, such as timber for fuel
and construction, drugs and beverages, but most of all they protect coasts
against erosion and support fisheries. It has been demonstrated that there is
a positive correlation between mangrove areas and nearshore fish and shrimp
catches. The mangrove-fisheries connection lies in the nursery function through
the provision of the food and shelter from predators (Primavera, 1998).
S. R. Massel, Fluid Mechanics for Marine Ecologists
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1999
14.1 Introduction
Quantifying coastal and ocean processes is a principal objective of modern
practice in coastal and ocean engineering and oceanography. In particular we
seek a predictive capability for (Sobey, 1993): a) wave and current patterns on
the continental shelf, in the nearshore zone, in coastal bays and estuaries, and
in tidal wetlands, b) wave and current interactions with marine structures, in
applications ranging from offshore platforms, ocean outfalls and breakwaters
to coral reefs and wetland restoration, c) contaminant transport in the coastal
environment, including the transport and fate of surface oil slicks, transport of
suspended solids (salinity, sediment, nitrogen, pesticides, etc.) and others.
However, the purposes for which we predict are often conflicting. For example, those between heavy engineering structures, recreational activities and
environmental protection. We are living in the age of environmental awareness,
with increasing demands on minimizing negative impact of human activity on
the environment. The environmental factors become more and more important
in traditional marine developments.
The necessity for inclusion of environmental requirements is clearly seen on
vegetated coasts, especially those in tropical climates. In contrast to the nonvegetated coasts, the understanding of physical processes at vegetated coasts
is not adequate enough to develop effective management plans or engineering
designs of coastal developments which are today subjected to very stringent
requirements to minimize their impact on the environment.
In tropical climates, most coastlines are vegetated. Many inter-tidal mudflats
are colonized by mangrove trees, with branching root systems and twisted
trunks and branches that create resistance to water motion and stabilize the
coastline. Mangrove forests provide a variety of goods, such as timber for fuel
and construction, drugs and beverages, but most of all they protect coasts
against erosion and support fisheries. It has been demonstrated that there is
a positive correlation between mangrove areas and nearshore fish and shrimp
catches. The mangrove-fisheries connection lies in the nursery function through
the provision of the food and shelter from predators (Primavera, 1998).
S. R. Massel, Fluid Mechanics for Marine Ecologists
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1999