Articles | Volume 9, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-9-71-2021
© Author(s) 2021. 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-9-71-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
11 Feb 2021
Research article |
| 11 Feb 2021
| 11 Feb 2021
Different coastal marsh sites reflect similar topographic conditions under which bare patches and vegetation recovery occur
Chen Wang
Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Fengde East Road 4, Beijing 100094, China
Ecosystem Management Research Group, University of Antwerp,
Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
Lennert Schepers
Ecosystem Management Research Group, University of Antwerp,
Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
Matthew L. Kirwan
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, P.O. Box 1346, 1375 Greate Road, Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062, USA
Enrica Belluco
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering,
University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, 35131 Padua, Italy
Andrea D'Alpaos
Department of Geosciences, University of Padua, Via Gradenigo 6, 35131 Padua, Italy
Qiao Wang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Xinjiekouwai Street 19, Beijing 100875, P. R. China
Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Fengde East Road 4, Beijing 100094, China
Shoujing Yin
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Fengde East Road 4, Beijing 100094, China
Stijn Temmerman
Ecosystem Management Research Group, University of Antwerp,
Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Revised manuscript not accepted
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Short summary
Coastal marshes are valuable natural habitats with normally dense vegetation. The presence of bare patches is a symptom of habitat degradation. We found that the occurrence of bare patches and regrowth of vegetation is related to spatial variations in soil surface elevation and to the distance and connectivity to tidal creeks. These relations are similar in three marshes at very different geographical locations. Our results may help nature managers to conserve and restore coastal marshes.
Coastal marshes are valuable natural habitats with normally dense vegetation. The presence of...
