HR: 13:40h
AN: H33I-01    [Abstracts]
TI: On ecogeomorphology of tidal landscapes
AU: * Feola, A
EM: feola@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Belluco, E
EM: belluco@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Botter, G
EM: botter@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: D'Alpaos, A
EM: adalpaos@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Lanzoni, S
EM: lanzo@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Marani, M
EM: marani@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Marani, M
EM: marani@idra.unipd.it
AF: International Centre of Hydrology, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Settin, T
EM: settin@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Uccelli, A
EM: uccelli@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Rinaldo, A
EM: rinaldo@idra.unipd.it
AF: University of Padova, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AU: Rinaldo, A
EM: rinaldo@idra.unipd.it
AF: International Centre of Hydrology, Via Loredan 20, Padova, Pd 35137 Italy
AB: The analysis of the morphological structure of a tidal landscape is crucial for our capabilities to predict the evolutionary scenarios of wetlands, lagoons, estuarine areas and tidal environments in general. Field surveys and remote sensing are employed here to accurately characterize different morphodynamic features in a lagoonal environment, in particular probing the validity of the empirical (and vastly useful) geomorphic relationships like e.g. extensions of Jarrett's 'law' for inner tidal channels. Studies on (suitably defined) bottom shear stresses at the tidal channel heads show surprisingly narrow distributions and support views on the formation of tidal channel networks. Interestingly, we confirm, through refined analyses, earlier findings about the notable lack of scaling invariance of landforms within the tidal basin, which we discuss facing the sources of dynamic crossovers. Physical measures of eco-geomorphological diversity strongly suggest the dominance of subvertical processes in the control of the distribution of halophytic vegetation, a key morphodynamic factor. We finally discuss distinctive geomorphic indicators suitable for comparative purposes with modelling exercises of long-term evolution of tidal systems, which, somewhat apart from a significant portion of the pertinent literature, should not rely heavily on topological similarity that is deemed too lenient a measure.
DE: 1815 Erosion and sedimentation
DE: 1824 Geomorphology (1625)
DE: 1848 Networks
DE: 1890 Wetlands
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting