Interactions between waves, bank erosion and emergent vegetation: an experimental study in a wave tank

Abstract

Emergent vegetation development, wave extinction and soil erosion are strongly interrelated processes in exposed riparian zones. The above-ground parts of the vegetation reduce wave energy, while the below-ground parts strengthen the soil. On the other hand, vegetation development may be restricted as a result of wave stress. Interactions between waves, soil erosion, and emergent vegetation were studied during three consecutive years. Two helophyte species, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel and Scirpus lacustris L., were planted in separate bank sections on two types of sediment, sand and silty sand, in a wave tank. Regular waves were transmitted through 4 m wide bank sections with and without helophytes growing on a horizontal part. Bank profiles, wave transmission patterns and vegetation parameters were measured after exposure to waves with a height of 10 cm (Year 1) and 23 cm (Years 2 and 3). Both 10 cm and 23 cm waves affected bank profiles. Erosion of the banks occurred due to downslope transport of sediment. Soil erosion patterns closely reflected the patterns of standing waves over the horizontal part of the bank. Emergent vegetation influenced the erosive impact of waves by both sediment reinforcement and wave attenuation. A smaller amount of net erosion was measured in the wave-exposed sections covered by vegetation than in the unplanted sections. The stands of Scirpus lacustris were damaged due to uprooting of rhizome parts by 23 cm waves, followed by increased erosion of the soil. No damage occurred to the Phragmites australis stands. The greatest wave attenuation (measured as relative wave height reduction) was measured in the fully developed vegetation in August of each year in both types of vegetation.