Vegetation traits and biogeomorphic complexity shape the resilience of salt marshes to sea-level rise

作者：Loreta Cornacchia, Roeland C. van de Vijsel, Daphne van der Wal, Tom Ysebaert, Jianwei Sun, Bram C. van Prooijen, P.L.M. de Vet, Quan‐Xing Liu, Johan van de Koppel · 发表于：Communications Earth & Environment · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1038/s43247-024-01829-2 · 被引用次数：8 · 研究领域：Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics、Geology and Paleoclimatology Research、Geological formations and processes

Abstract The adaptive capacity of ecosystems, or their ability to function despite altered environmental conditions, is crucial for resilience to climate change. However, the role of landscape complexity or species traits on adaptive capacity remains unclear. Here, we combine field experiments and morphodynamic modelling to investigate how ecosystem complexity shapes the adaptive capacity of intertidal salt marshes. We focus on the importance of tidal channel network complexity for sediment accumulation, allowing vertical accretion to keep pace with sea-level rise. The model showed that landscape-scale ecosystem complexity, more than species traits, explained higher sediment accumulation rates, despite complexity arising from these traits. Landscape complexity, reflected in creek network morphology, also improved resilience to rising water levels. Comparing model outcomes with real-world tidal networks confirmed that flow concentration, sediment transport and deposition increase with drainage complexity. These findings emphasize that natural pattern development and persistence are crucial to preserve resilience to climate change.