Salt-Marsh patterns: networks and vegetation

Salt-Marshes in tidal environments are characterised by complex patterns both in their geomorphic and ecological features. Such patterns arise through the elaboration of a network structure driven by the tidal forcing and through the interaction between hydrodynamical, geophyisical and ecological components (e.g. microphytobentos and vegetation). The presentation will introduce experimental ad theoretical work aimed at the characterisation of network morphological features and vegetation patterns by use of direct survey, remote sensing and mathematical modelling. Tools for a complete description of network geometry will be introduced. In particular, a detailed description of meandering characteristics and branching properties by means of a simplified hydrodynamical model will be discussed. Techniques for the determination of the spatial organisation of vegetation will also be described and links to hydrodynamics and sediment circulation will be addressed.