Abstract
The relationship between geomorphic processes and barrier island vegetation patterns was analysed along the northern 14 km of Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland. Long-term shoreline change on this sediment-starved coast ranges from erosion of 6·6 m year −1 to deposition of 0·4 m year −1 resulting in a continuum of vegetation patterns from an overwash dominated community to a stable shrub thicket and associated salt-marsh community. Correlation of geomorphic process variables with vegetation responses analysed by principal component analysis revealed that long-term erosion rate is a primary factor affecting vegetation patterns. Erosion rates greater than a critical threshold of 4·5 m year −1 result in an overwash community which persists over time. The concept of critical erosion rate can be used to model vegetation dynamics on sediment-starved barrier islands.
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