Tidal Influence Research Articles

The Influence of Time, Tide, and Place on Fine-Scale Nekton Distribution: Insights from the San Francisco Estuary

The location of estuarine organisms varies based on geophysical cycles and environmental conditions, which can strongly bias understanding of organism abundance and distribution. In the San Francisco Estuary, California, extensive monitoring surveys have provided insight into the life history and ecology of certain commercially important or legislatively protected fish species. However, there remains substantial uncertainty in factors influencing the vertical and lateral distributions of many other nekton species in the San Francisco Estuary, including longfin smelt Spirinchus thaleichthys, for whom such distributional information may highly influence interpretation of existing data. We carried out paired sampling using surface and demersal gears to address three questions: (1) Does diel phase influence the vertical position of nekton (e.g., surface versus demersal)? (2) Do environmental conditions, specifically turbidity, influence the vertical and lateral positions of nekton (e.g., center channel versus peripheral shoal)? (3) Does tidal variability influence vertical and lateral distributions of nekton? We documented variability in sampled nekton densities across diel phase (day/night), vertical position (surface/bottom), and lateral position (channel/shoal). Tidal phase and turbidity concentration influenced vertical and lateral distributions for some species at certain locations. Although infrequently encountered, we documented associations of longfin smelt with the lower water column and shoal habitats, with some evidence for upward vertical shifts in low light conditions brought about by nightfall or elevated turbidity. Observed habitat associations provide insight into how interacting geophysical and environmental factors may influence the distribution of nekton and thus the vulnerability of individual species to detection by sampling gears.

Nutrient dynamics in wetland systems associated with hydrological and anthropogenic variations in the south of Samborombón Bay, Argentina

Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services to the environment, such as nutrient removal and storage. The aim of this work is to evaluate the nutrient dynamics in different sectors within wetland systems in the south of the Samborombón Bay (Argentina) based on hydrological and/or anthropogenic variations. For this purpose, the hydrological features of the wetland were defined through the analysis of satellite images, precipitation and tidal data, and field surveys. Three sectors were identified in the wetland: one with tidal influence, another which is dependent on rainfall, and another that receives inputs from rainfall and from a sewage effluent treatment plant. In order to analyze the nutrient dynamics, samples of surface water, groundwater, and sediments were collected from these sectors. Measurements of pH and electrical conductivity were determined in situ in water samples, while the concentration of inorganic forms of phosphorus and nitrogen, soluble reactive silica, and organic carbon were determined through laboratory analysis. Also, bioavailable phosphorus, organic matter, pH, and electrical conductivity were determined in the sediment samples collected. Statistical analysis of the data reveals differences between the sectors and allows the interpretation of the dynamics of the studied components in the wetland. Electrical conductivity distinguishes the intertidal sectors of the wetland while components associated with P and N discriminate the sectors with inputs from the sewage effluent treatment plant. On the other hand, soluble reactive silica, organic carbon, and organic matter do not seem to be influenced by the tide or effluent discharge. This study demonstrates that the studied wetland works as a nutrient retention area, providing ecosystem services to local inhabitants. Although these services can be utilized, they require a continuous monitoring over time to provide an early warning in case the variations in P and N cycles could lead to eutrophication or wetland degradation.

Influence of Fluvial Discharges and Tides on the Salt Wedge Position of a Microtidal Estuary: Magdalena River

The linkage between the salt wedge, tidal patterns, and the Magdalena River discharge is established by assessing the ensuing parameters: stratification (ϵ), buoyancy frequency (β), potential energy anomaly (φ), Richardson number by layers (RL), and bottom turbulent energy production (P). The salinity, temperature, density, and water velocity data utilized were derived from MOHID 3D, a previously tailored and validated model for the Magdalena River estuary. To grasp the dynamics of the river, a flow regime analysis was conducted during both the wet and dry climatic seasons of the Colombian Caribbean. The utilization of this model aimed to delineate the estuary’s spatial reach, considering flow rates spanning from 2000 to 6500 m3/s across two tidal cycles. This approach facilitates the prediction of the position, stability, and stratification degree of the salt front. Among the conclusions drawn, it is highlighted that: 1. The river flow serves as the principal conditioning agent for the system, inducing a strong estuary response to weather stations; 2. The extent of wedge intrusion and the river discharge exhibit a non-linear, inversely correlation; 3. Tidal waves cause differences of up to 1000 m in the horizontal extent of the wedge; 4. Widespread channel erosion occurs during the rainy season when the salt intrusion does not exceed 2 km; 5. Flocculation processes intensify during the transition between the dry and wet seasons; 6. The stability of the salt layering and the consolidation of the FSI–TMZ are contingent upon the geometric attributes of the channel.

Recent shallow-water benthic foraminifera from a tropical estuary, SW Nigeria

This paper presents a comprehensive survey of benthic foraminifera from shallow waters of the Apapa-Badagry Creek estuary in southwestern Nigeria. Sediments of the Apapa-Badagry Creek, an important estuary surrounded by sprawling estates and industrial parks, yielded diverse assemblages of benthic foraminifera with a total of eighty-eight species. They include hyaline-perforate taxa which dominated the inner western sites around the Lagos Harbor in the Apapa Creek with Ammonia aoteana, A. tepida, A. convexa, Ammonia sp. 1, Ammonia sp. 2. Agglutinated taxa are well established in the westernmost areas in the Badagry Creek, where there is seamless fresh-water mixing, with high populations of Ammotium salsum and few occurrences of Milliamina fusca and Ammobaculites species. The miliolids, represented mainly by species of Quinqueloculina, occupy sample stations in the Commodore Channel which flourish under conditions of marine and tidal influences. Cribroelphidium mirum, Pararotalia sarmientoi, Bolivina striatula and Rosalina species are also found within the Commodore Channel sediments. Our study widely extends and completes previous studies from the tropical eastern Atlantic, especially within the Gulf of Guinea and provides new information on the distribution, diversity, and species richness of shallow-water benthic foraminifera fringing the Atlantic coast of Africa.

Flow and Transport in Coastal Aquifer‐Aquitard Systems: Experimental and Numerical Analysis

AbstractCoastal aquifers are commonly layered, and thus, a clear understanding of groundwater flow and salt transport in layered coastal aquifers is important for managing fresh groundwater. However, the influence of leakage between adjacent aquifers on flow and transport processes remains largely unknown where the influence of tides is considered. This study used laboratory experiments and numerical simulation to examine the processes of flow and transport within a tidal aquifer‐aquitard system (i.e., an unconfined aquifer underlain by a semi‐confined aquifer, with an intervening thin aquitard). The laboratory‐scale observations of the current study are the first observations of offshore fresh groundwater within a semi‐confined coastal aquifer. The numerical and laboratory results are in close agreement, revealing that upward leakage from the semi‐confined aquifer into the saltwater wedge of the overlying unconfined aquifer caused buoyant instabilities to form. The development of freshwater fingers created complex saltwater‐freshwater mixing, leading to mixed saltwater influx‐efflux patterns across the sloping aquifer‐ocean interface. Compared with non‐tidal conditions, tidal forces reduced the net upward leakage from the semi‐confined aquifer to the overlying unconfined aquifer. This increased the horizontal flow toward the sea, which in turn reduced the extent of the saltwater wedge in the semi‐confined aquifer. The higher rates of both fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), caused by tides, led to lower groundwater ages in the semi‐confined aquifer. These findings have important implications for unveiling the complex characteristics of seawater intrusion, SGD and geochemical hotspots within layered coastal aquifers.

Rob Flood Control on the North Coast of Java (Study on coastal areas of Pekalongan and Semarang)

Flooding on the coasts of Pekalongan and Semarang, North Coast of Java (Pantura), has become a severe problem for the Indonesian government. Factors causing the flood are rainfall, climate, land subsidence and rob, river conditions, tidal influence, poorer areas, land change, inappropriate flood control, damage to flood control buildings, excessive groundwater utilization, inappropriate flood management, river sedimentation, reduced water catchment areas, and runoff floods. Therefore, there is a need for an appropriate handling study to deal with these problems. This research aimed to determine the achievements of coastal flood control on the North Coast of Java. Data was collected through a literature review for secondary data, field studies for primary data, in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders, and observation. The results showed that handling Rob flooding in coastal Pekalongan focuses on four locations: Bremi River, Meduri River, Mrican pump house, and Silempeng. Rob flood handling methods on the Pekalongan coast include the construction of concrete barriers with corrugated sheet pile (CCSP), compacted soil embankments with bamboo mattress reinforcement, and submersible pumping machines at the Mrican pump house. In comparison, rob flood management in coastal Semarang focuses on the Sringin and Tenggang rivers. The flood handling methods conducted are the provision of pumps, construction of Rob embankments and retention ponds, normalization, drainage improvements, and interconnection channels. However, handling coastal flooding needs a comprehensive and sustainable follow-up.

The evolution of lithium in FGK dwarf stars

This work aims to investigate the behaviour of the lithium abundance in stars with and without detected planets. Our study is based on a sample of 1332 FGK main-sequence stars with measured lithium abundances, for 257 of which planets were detected. Our method reviews the sample statistics and is addressed specifically to the influence of tides and orbital decay, with special attention to planets on close orbits, whose stellar rotational velocity is higher than the orbital period of the planet. In this case, tidal effects are much more pronounced. The analysis also covers the orbital decay on a short timescale, with planets spiralling into their parent star. Furthermore, the sample allows us to study the relation between the presence of planets and the physical properties of their host stars, such as the chromospheric activity, metallicity, and lithium abundance. In the case of a strong tidal influence, we cannot infer from any of the studies described that the behaviour of Li differs between stars that host planets and those that do not. Our sample includes stars with super-solar metallicity ([Fe/H] > 0.15 dex) and a low lithium abundance (A(Li) < 1.0 dex). This enabled us to analyse scenarios of the origin and existence of these stars. Considering the possible explanation of the F dip, we show that it is not a plausible scenario. Our analysis is based on a kinematic study and concludes that the possible time that elapsed in the travel from their birth places in the central regions of the Galaxy to their current positions in the solar neighbourhood is not enough to explain the high lithium depletion. It is remarkable that those of our high-metallicity low-lithium stars with the greatest eccentricity (e > 0.2) are closest to the Galactic centre. A dedicated study of a set of high-metallicity low-Li stars is needed to test the migration-depletion scenario.

Wave attenuation and transformation across a highly turbid muddy tidal flat-salt marsh system

Understanding wave processes within the coastal system is crucial for the appropriate design of coastal prevention engineering and offshore structures. To address the limitations of field observations and traditional methods, an array of pressure sensors and optical instruments were deployed across a shoreward intertidal flat consisting of the fluid muddy seabed, bare flat, and salt marsh in a highly turbid coastal area. We found that the Spartina alterniflora salt marsh has the strongest wave dissipation capacity. Although bare flats have the weakest wave dissipation capacity, they are the most extensive within the intertidal zone, resulting in substantial total wave energy dissipation. A noteworthy positive feedback between fluid mud and wave dissipation is observed. Additionally, the incident waves undergo complex transitions during propagation, which are strongly modulated by tidal influences. In particular, when the wave propagation direction is opposite to the tidal current, there is an amplification of wave energy within the tidal flat. This amplification is attributed to the "jacking effect" of the tidal current, hindering the transformation of the wind waves into the low-energy capillary waves. It is important to note that the high-energy infragravity waves are gradually released and steadily increase as the incident waves propagate shoreward. This implies their potentially significant role in nearshore processes, especially during extreme dynamic events or along extensive coastlines.

Lovers in strange places: amphibian calling and amplexus detected in tidal mangrove creeks after rainfall

Temporary freshwater lenses can form in saline environments after rainfall, providing essential resources for species including drinking water and dispersal routes. However, there is limited indication that these lenses can also be used for breeding. Herein, we provide evidence of the green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, performing breeding activities, including calling and amplexus, in tidal mangrove creeks on Kooragang Island, NSW, Australia. Our findings suggest that these creeks intermittently phase into a low salinity state after the influx of fresh water from rainfall, forming temporary freshwater lenses that can be exploited before the creeks revert to a saline state. These lenses had salinities (1.4 ppt and 4.5 ppt) within the tolerance limit of L. aurea tadpoles, although we are unsure whether oviposition took place and offspring survival to metamorphosis was achieved. It is possible that anthropogenic disturbances to hydrology on Kooragang Island have benefited L. aurea by restricting tidal influences in mangrove creeks, prolonging the duration of freshwater lenses.

A reference list of fish species for a heavily modified transitional water: The Zeeschelde (Belgium)

A crucial step in the development of a fish-based index for the ecological assessment of water bodies as provided by the European Water Framework Directive is to define a reference list of fish species occurring in pristine rivers. The aim of this study was to elaborate such a list. The reference corresponds to an ecological status that is referred to as Good or Maximal Ecological Potential (GEP/MEP). Based on historically-reported fish survey data of the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgian part of the Schelde estuary) and its tributaries, i.e. an affluent system, under tidal influence, presence/absence reference lists were compiled for different salinity zones and adjusted using information from recent catches. In addition, an MEP list of fishes occurring in the Westerschelde (Dutch part of the Schelde estuary), developed by JAGER & KRANENBARG (2004), is provided to present a complete overview of the Schelde estuary. Inclusion of fish species in the reference lists depended on their natural geographical distribution and ecological demands. These reference lists contain guild-specific information for the different zones within the estuary and its tidal tributaries.

Emigration of post-spawned twaite shad Alosa fallax, an anadromous and iteroparous fish, in a highly fragmented river.

Anthropogenic barriers are widely known to negatively impact the spawning migrations of anadromous fishes, by delaying or preventing passage upstream. Although the impacts of barriers on emigrating post-spawned adults are less well studied, they could potentially impact the fitness and subsequent return rates of iteroparous species. In this study, passive acoustic telemetry was used to track the emigrations of 53 twaite shad Alosa fallax in the River Severn basin in their first spawning migration a year after being tagged, giving insights into their emigration movements and the impacts of anthropogenic weirs on these movements. A. fallax began their emigrations after spending varying amounts of time and migrating various distances within the river, with late-emigrating individuals moving fastest and most directly. Emigrations became faster and more direct the further downstream individuals were from their furthest upstream extent. Downstream passage delays at weirs increased emigration times by a median of 61%, with environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, flow, and tidal influence on river level) having little influence on downstream passage at weirs with no modifications to facilitate fish passage. As weir-induced emigration delays are suggested to deplete energy reserves (when energy levels are already depleted post-spawning), limit spawning opportunities (by preventing access to downstream spawning habitat), and expose individuals to increased predation risk and suboptimal conditions (e.g., high temperatures), these delays can potentially diminish the benefits of iteroparity. The evidence presented here suggests that more consideration should be given to the potential impacts of anthropogenic barriers on the emigrations of iteroparous species when assessing river connectivity or undertaking barrier mitigation.

Salt dynamic changes between seawater and phreatic brine in muddy tidal flats under tidal influence

Evaporated salt accumulated on the surface of tidal flats is an important source of salt for supplying coastal phreatic brine resources. A clear understanding of the flux and process of evaporated salt recharge the shallow underground brine under tidal influence is a prerequisite for promoting the orderly development of coastal underground brine resources. This study established an in-situ numerical model for simulation analysis based on the results of ERT and hydrological parameter surveys conducted on muddy tidal flats on the south bank of Laizhou Bay to clarify the dynamic changes in salt transport between seawater and phreatic brine and to evaluate the recharge capacity of evaporated salt to phreatic brine. The results indicated that in the tidal flat on the sea side (from the “underground brine divide” to the sea) where evaporation is significant, the tidal effect can only periodically inhibit the loss of salt in phreatic brine, but cannot drive the effective accumulation of evaporated salt in the phreatic brine aquifer. During the flooding tide, a flow field from the tidal flat surface to the lower phreatic brine appeared in the aquifer. Salt from the burrows of the top layer entered the phreatic brine under the driving force of the flow field. These salt inputs only slowed the salt loss rate in the phreatic brine from 10.59 kg/h to 7.44 kg/h; During the ebb tide, when the seawater has not receded from the tidal flat, the direction of the groundwater flow field reverses from downward to upward and the driving force of water and salt migration disappears, the salt loss is inhibited in the phreatic brine, and the salt loss rate decreased rapidly to 0.95 kg/h. After the seawater receded from the tidal flat, the salt loss rate of the phreatic brine recovered to 9.89 kg/h, which was basically the same as the salt loss rate at the beginning of the flooding tide.

Diel vertical migration and tidal influences on plankton densities in dynamic coastal systems

Recent increased application of optical imaging devices have facilitated efficient capture of plankton abundance and community composition, enabling the study of plankton distribution in situ and at a high spatio-temporal resolution. In this study, we aim to investigate how the abundances and distribution patterns of plankton taxa relate over 24-h periods, covering tidal and diel cycles, in the southern North Sea using data from a WP2 net and a Video Plankton Recorder. In the highly dynamic southern North Sea, we document diel vertical migration patterns in the pelagic zone of both pelagic and hyperbenthic taxa, including Calanoida (Copepoda), Amphipoda, Annelida, and Cumacea. In addition, the densities of plankton taxa showed significant small-scale geographical variation over a 24-h period for which tidal currents played an important role, a source of considerable variation that is typically not accounted for. This study adds to the current understanding of plankton distribution and behaviour, particularly in the context of coastal areas characterised by strong tidal cycles and currents, by using in situ imaging techniques.

HYDRODYNAMIC ASSESSMENT ALONG THE COAST OF TANJUNG SEDELI, MALAYSIA

Tidal influence plays a significant role in coastal hydrodynamics as the impact may lead to coastal erosion. Tanjung Sedeli located on the southern coast of Malaysia is exposed to low tidal issues which disrupts the navigation of local fishermen due to the shallow river mouth in the area. This study presents the hydrodynamic processes along the shoreline of Tanjung Sedeli. BLUEKENUE was used as the pre-processor to create a bathymetry file and perform mesh generation to set up the initial model boundary which functions as input files for numerical study. TELEMAC2D further processes the hydrodynamic data (tides and currents), calibrated, and validated with the measured field data collected between 24th September to 6th October 2020 covering both spring and neap tide conditions. The nature of tides in the area was mainly mixed tides, predominantly semidiurnal tides. Modelled hydrodynamic values show good conformity with field measurements with an error of 1.4% for water level values, 10.6% and 20o for current speed and direction respectively. Water flows north into the estuary during spring tide with maximum velocity is 0.756m/s surrounding the river mouth and Pulau Tagal. Low velocity values were recorded at the left bank of the river (0.028 m/s) and Pulau Tagal (0.085 m/s) during spring tide. This study provides information on current hydrodynamic condition of the study area.

Tidal Migration of Exoplanets around M Dwarfs: Frequency-dependent Tidal Dissipation

The orbital architectures of short-period exoplanet systems are shaped by tidal dissipation in their host stars. For low-mass M dwarfs whose dynamical tidal response comprises a dense spectrum of inertial modes at low frequencies, resolving the frequency dependence of tidal dissipation is crucial to capturing the effect of tides on planetary orbits throughout the evolutionary stages of the host star. We use nonperturbative spectral methods to calculate the normal mode oscillations of a fully convective M dwarf modeled using realistic stellar profiles from MESA. We compute the dissipative tidal response composed of contributions from each mode, as well as nonadiabatic coupling between the modes, which we find to be an essential component of the dissipative calculations. Using our results for dissipation, we then compute the evolution of circular, coplanar planetary orbits under the influence of tides in the host star. We find that orbital migration driven by resonance locking affects the orbits of Earth-mass planets at orbital periods P orb ≲ 1.5 days and of Jupiter-mass planets at P orb ≲ 2.5 days. Due to resonantly driven orbital decay and outward migration, we predict a dearth of small planets closer than P orb ∼ 1 day and similarly sparse numbers of more massive planets out to P orb ∼ 3 days.

Microdistribution and Mode of Rare Earth Element Occurrence in the Zhijin Rare Earth Element-Bearing Phosphate Deposit, Guizhou, China

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are often highly concentrated in sedimentary phosphate deposits, and the microdistribution characteristics and occurrence state of rare earth in these deposits play a crucial role in the overall development and utilization of mineral resources. This study aims to analyze the microdistribution of REEs in REE-bearing phosphate deposits in the Zhijin region of Guizhou at the microstructural level and investigate their occurrence modes. Specifically, rock and mineral identification, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were utilized to analyze the samples. The correlation between the distribution of REEs and phosphorus was examined. In addition, the microdistribution of REEs in specific mineral phases and the locations of their occurrence were investigated. The analysis revealed that no REEs existed independently in the deposit. Instead, the distribution of REEs was highly consistent and significantly positively correlated with that of phosphorus. In the microarea structure, REEs were predominantly found both in particles, such as bioclasts, sand debris, and agglomerates, and in phosphate cement, where the main mineral components were collophane and apatite. Conversely, the content of REEs in dolomitized sand debris edges, sparry dolomitic cement, and siliceous cement was considerably lower. Based on these findings, it is speculated that REEs primarily occur within the lattice defects of apatite or on the surface of collophanite. There is a notable contrast in the REE content between the unaltered sand debris at the periphery and the dolomitized sand debris, indicating that the dolomitization in the diagenetic stage resulted in a depletion of REE abundance in the ore. Obviously, the dominant gangue mineral, dolomite, does not serve as the primary host for REEs. Furthermore, the highest concentration of REEs was inside organisms. This finding suggests that the high content of REEs in biological soft tissue may remain under the influence of waves and tides, and REE-bearing apatite may be preferentially separated and fill the cavities of deceased organisms. The second highest content of REEs was found in the shells of organisms, indicating that small shelly organisms absorb phosphorus materials through their life activities to construct their shells, resulting in REE enrichment. Quantitative analysis through sequential extraction procedures displayed that most REEs were present in the residual state, with a smaller portion combined with organic matter. These results confirm that REEs in the Zhijin phosphate deposits primarily exist as isomorphic substitutions in the lattice defects of apatite, with a secondary occurrence as organic matter-bound REEs.

Climatology of Dayside E‐Region Zonal Neutral Wind Shears From ICON‐MIGHTI Observations

AbstractLarge vertical shears in the E‐region neutral zonal winds can lead to ion convergences and contribute to plasma irregularities, but climatological studies of vertical shears of horizontal winds in a global scale are lacking due to the limitations of data coverage. The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) Michelson Interferometer for Global High‐resolution Thermospheric Imaging (MIGHTI) has provided neutral wind observations with an unprecedented spatial coverage. In this study, the climatology of dayside E‐region neutral wind shears has been examined using 2‐years’ data (2020–2021). Specifically, the study focuses on large wind shears with a magnitude larger than 20 m/s/km, since large wind shears are more likely to cause significant perturbation in the ionosphere‐thermosphere (I‐T) system. The results show that the probability of occurrence of large shears is strongly dependent on the altitude, with the vertical profile varying with shear direction, latitude, season, and local time. In general, below 110 km altitude, large negative shears of the eastward wind are most likely to happen during summer at 8–10 LT in 25°N–40°N latitudes, showing a high probability across nearly all longitudes. Meanwhile, large positive shears tend to occur in 10°S–10°N latitudes, with peak probabilities exhibiting roughly consistent longitudinal structures across 8–10 LT in all seasons. The discrepancies between positive and negative large shear distributions underlie different global tidal influences. The large‐shear occurrence probabilities above 110 km are generally small, except in latitudes above 25°N during the winter for positive shears.

Influences of tides on shelf circulation in the northeastern South China Sea during summer

Tides have significant effects on material and energy transports over the continental shelf. A mooring system located in the shelf region of the northeastern South China Sea observed strong and weak mean currents during the spring and neap tides in summer, respectively. The mechanism leading to this difference is investigated by using a three-dimensional circulation model. We find that the impact of tides (TI) on currents exhibited as current components opposing wind-driven circulation play an important role. The TI current components are stronger than the tidal residual currents in summer when vertical stratification enhances the tidal rectification. Tides can affect pressure gradient by modifying sea surface height on the shelf, while in shallow and shelf break regions, the non-linear advection and vertical diffusion become significant in momentum equations attributable to the interactions of tidal currents, bottom topography and water column stratification. Consequently, the along-shelf volume transport is reduced by about 21.6% due to the TI current components and only by about 6.1% due to the tidal residual currents. This study highlights the importance of both tidal mixing and tidal rectification in regulating shelf circulation in the northeastern South China Sea.

Multivariate Analysis of the Community Composition of Tidal Freshwater Forests on the Altamaha River, Georgia

Situated in the transitional zone between non-tidal forests upstream and tidal freshwater marshes downstream, tidal freshwater forests (TFF) occupy a unique and increasingly precarious habitat due to the threat of saltwater intrusion and sea level rise. Salinization causes tree mortality and forest-to-marsh transition, which reduces biodiversity and carbon sequestration. The Altamaha River is the longest undammed river on the United States East Coast and has extensive TFF, but there have been only limited field studies examining TFF along the entire gradient of salinity and flooding. We surveyed thirty-eight forest plots on the Altamaha River along a gradient of tidal influence, and measured tree species composition, diameter, and height. Hierarchical clustering and indicator species analysis were used to identify TFF communities. The relationship of these communities to elevation and river distance was assessed using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). We identified six significantly different forest communities: Oak/Hornbeam, Water Tupelo, Bald Cypress/Tupelo, Pine, Swamp Tupelo, and Bald Cypress. Both elevation and river distance were significantly correlated with plot species composition (p = 0.001). Plots at the downstream extent of our study area had lower stem density, basal area, and species diversity than those further upstream, suggesting saltwater intrusion. This study demonstrates the importance of and need for thorough and robust analyses of tidal freshwater forest composition to improve prediction of TFF response to sea level rise.

Impact of tidal dynamics and typhoon-induced inundation on saltwater intrusion in coastal farms

The increase in storm surge events caused by climate change exacerbates adverse effects on seawater inundation in coastal areas. An accurate description of the water level curve is crucial for understanding the process of saltwater intrusion (SWI) resulting from storm surge. Most studies involving empirical surges as inputs to groundwater models, often simplify spatial and temporal seawater inundation processes, which may increase the uncertainty in vertical seawater intrusion. To address this gap, we employed a comprehensive modeling approach using storm surge model ADCIRC and numerical simulator HydroGeoSphere to reveal SWI dynamics during a historical storm surge event in a coastal farm, considering varying tidal-surge phases and typhoon intensities. Our findings indicate pronounced SWI variations even with consistently highest water level during a storm surge, contingent on prior tidal processes. The timing of typhoon landfall on an hourly scale yielded diverse water level curves, altering the function of SWI. Intriguingly, SWI exacerbates following a high tide with 31.2 % average salinity higher, highlighting the profound modulation effect of tidal levels on SWI. Local topography significantly influenced SWI dynamics. Ponds, for instance, retained elevated salinity levels for over 15 h, indicating a more prolonged exposure to salinity than roads. These findings underscore the importance of considering both tidal influences and topographical factors in understanding and mitigating SWI in coastal agricultural management.