There is growing evidence that managed realignment (MR) sites have lower biodiversity than natural saltmarshes, which has been associated with differences in the physical function and morphological evolution following site breaching. This evidence has been derived from MR sites previously used for intensive arable agriculture or modified during site construction. Therefore, the development of these sites may not be representative of the sedimentological evolution that would have otherwise occurred. This paper presents analysis of high spatial resolution digital surface models derived from the images collected using a small-unmanned aerial system from a non-engineered MR site at Cwm Ivy Marsh, Gower Peninsula, Wales. These models are examined alongside a novel combination of high frequency measurements of the rate and patterns of sedimentation, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and the sub-surface structure and geochemical profiles. Results indicated that although the site became topographically less variable over a four year period, the intertidal morphology developed through an increase in the abundance of higher order creek systems and sediment being deposited at a rate of between 3 and 7 cm/year. The SSC followed an inverse pattern to water depth, with bed elevation increasing and then decreasing during both the flood and ebb tidal phases. Analysis of the sediment subsurface geochemical composition indicated redox profiles similar to natural intertidal environments; evidence of a fluctuating water table was found at a saltmarsh site, in comparison to waterlogging identified at an anoxic mudflat site. These findings provide a new insight to the sedimentological processes in a MR site without the influence of landscaping or site engineering prior to site breaching, which can be used to inform the design of future MR sites.

越来越多的证据表明，管理重整 (MR) 场地的生物多样性低于天然盐沼，这与场地破坏后物理功能和形态演变的差异有关。该证据来自先前用于集约化耕作农业或在场地建设期间修改的 MR 场地。因此，这些地点的发展可能不能代表否则会发生的沉积学演变。本文介绍了对使用小型无人机系统从威尔士高尔半岛 Cwm Ivy Marsh 的非工程 MR 站点收集的图像得出的高空间分辨率数字表面模型的分析。这些模型与沉积速率和模式的高频测量的新组合一起进行检查，悬浮泥沙浓度 (SSC)，以及地下结构和地球化学剖面。结果表明，虽然该地点在四年期间的地形变化较小，但潮间带形态的发展是通过高阶小溪系统和沉积物以每年 3 至 7 厘米的速度沉积的丰度增加而发展起来的。SSC 遵循与水深相反的模式，在洪水和退潮阶段，河床高程先升高，然后再降低。沉积物地下地球化学成分分析表明氧化还原剖面与天然潮间带环境相似；与在缺氧泥滩地点发现的积水相比，在盐沼地点发现了地下​​水位波动的证据。