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delta sediment dynamics and vegetation

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delta sediment dynamics and vegetation

Needs to be simplified and follow Style Guide, limited to presentation of evidence, and related to other River Delta content pages, such as River Delta Restoration and Hydrodynamics and River Delta Accretion and Sea Level Rise

As a river enters its delta, it slows down and spreads out in response to the more gentle topography and the counteracting force of the tide. In response, much of the sediment recruited from throughout the upper basin is deposited. The pattern of sediment distribution and deposition depends on many factors and these dynamics affect habitat elevation relative to tide, as well as the sediment texture in any given point. Along with salinity (see delta hydrodynamics and channels), these two factors largely control vegetation composition and structure, which in turn affects habitat services provided by the delta.

Vegetation, in turn, affects sedimentation patterns by increasing the capture of suspended sediment at rates related to inundation periods (elevation) and the amount, complexity and seasonality of above ground vegetation structure. Given sea level rise, and subsidence behind dikes, understanding sediment deposition patterns and its effects on future vegetation is critical to restoration of Salish Sea deltas.

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Source: delta sediment dynamics and vegetation on Salish Sea Wiki

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