Coastal Protection Using Vegetation

Oral

1082 - Geotechnical Properties Of Salt Marsh And Tidal Flat Substrates In The Uk

Presenting Author(s)

• 

  Helen Brooks, MSci

  PhD Student
  University Of Cambridge

Additional Author #1(s)

• IM

  Iris Moeller

Additional Author #2(s)

• TS

  Tom Spencer

  University of Cambridge

Additional Author #3(s)

• KR

  Katherine Royse

Salt marshes and tidal flats attenuate incoming hydrodynamic energy, thus providing a valuable nature-based coastal defence. Coastal protection frequently relies on the combination of the salt marsh and the engineered defences. However, while marsh evolution models frequently include an erodibility coefficient, this is based on little empirical data. The sparse geotechnical data that does exist does not encompass the range of marsh erosion mechanisms possible. Here, we provide the first known comprehensive geotechnical measurements of Northwestern European salt marsh and tidal flat sediments (shear strength, compressibility and plasticity), thus improving marsh evolution model calibration and therefore enhancing flood risk models.