Articles | Volume 13, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-791-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-791-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| Highlight paper
| 
04 Sep 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |
| 04 Sep 2025
| 04 Sep 2025
Biomechanical parameters of marram grass (Calamagrostis arenaria) for advanced modeling of dune vegetation
Viktoria Kosmalla
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
Oliver Lojek
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
Jana Carus
Department of Plant Ecology, Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Kara Keimer
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
Lukas Ahrenbeck
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
Björn Mehrtens
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
David Schürenkamp
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
Boris Schröder
Department of Plant Ecology, Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Berlin, Germany
Nils Goseberg
Division of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, Leichtweiss-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
Coastal Research Center, Joint Central Institution of Leibniz Universität Hannover and Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
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This publication presents a field study measuring sediment transport and wind velocities across a single dune, and provides an approximation of the annual volume of transported sediment for the entire dune systems on the East Frisian island of Spiekeroog. Data from the field study shows that sediment transport on a dune occurs deep into the vegetation. The approximation surpasses the actual volume changes of the dune systems as expected, with variations depending on the compared beach section.
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This publication presents a field study measuring sediment transport and wind velocities across a single dune, and provides an approximation of the annual volume of transported sediment for the entire dune systems on the East Frisian island of Spiekeroog. Data from the field study shows that sediment transport on a dune occurs deep into the vegetation. The approximation surpasses the actual volume changes of the dune systems as expected, with variations depending on the compared beach section.
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Editor
This study provides sorely needed insights into the spatial and temporal variability in marram grass traits in relation to aeolian sand transport. This information will be highly relevant to developing and refining coastal dune formation models.
This study provides sorely needed insights into the spatial and temporal variability in marram...
Short summary
This study analyzes seasonal biomechanical traits of marram grass at two coastal dune sites using monthly field and lab data from 2022. Observed differences in density, leaf length, and flower stems were found to be wind-independent and transferable across sites. The results support surrogate model development for numerical and physical experiments alike, where using live vegetation is impractical. Results address the knowledge gap on how vegetation influences dune stability and erosion resistance.
This study analyzes seasonal biomechanical traits of marram grass at two coastal dune sites...
