The Role of Pulsing Events in the Functioning of Coastal Barriers and Wetlands: Implications for Human Impact, Management and the Response to Sea Level Rise

Abstract

Coastal wetland and barrier systems exist in a dynamic equilibrium, in both horizontal and vertical planes, between forces which lead to their establishment and maintenance and forces which lead to deterioration. Rising sea level will affect both of these systems. The functioning of coastal barriers and coastal wetlands is affected by energetic forcings which serve to enhance productivity, increase materials fluxes, and affect the morphology and evolution of these systems. These forcings occur over a hierarchy of different spatial and temporal scales and include waves and daily tides, frontal passages and other frequent storms, normal river floods, strong storms, great river floods, and switching of river channels. Human impact over the past century has diminished these forcings at all temporal and spatial scales. Sustainable management should include the re-integration of these forcings into coastal management.