The formation and development of tidal channels and salt marshes are controlled by complex interactions between hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and vegetation dynamics. Tidal channels affect and, at the same time, are affected by the growth of salt marshes fringing them. The coupled evolution of these morphological units, mediated by vegetation growth, is thus a key ingredient for simulating the behavior of tidal environments. Considering these two factors, we developed a mathematical model to investigate the eco-morphodynamic evolution of intertidal areas fringing a main channel and of the tidal creeks cutting through them. Model results indicate that vegetation promotes the development of channel networks, leading to more complex channel structures and higher drainage efficiency. Vegetation encroachment influences sediment deposition patterns by trapping sediment in the seaward and middle intertidal areas, while reducing the amount of sediment delivered to landward areas. In the presence of sea level rise, this deficit of sediment enhances the landward-decreasing trend of the intertidal platform and leads to more isolated vegetation patches. Overall, sea level rise restricts the extension of salt marshes and consequently reduces the effect of vegetation on channel network form and function.

中文翻译：

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盐沼和新兴潮汐通道网络相互交织的生态形态动力学演化

潮汐通道和盐沼的形成和发展受流体动力学、沉积物输送和植被动力学之间复杂的相互作用控制。潮汐通道会影响，同时也受其周围盐沼的影响。因此，由植被生长介导的这些形态单位的耦合演化是模拟潮汐环境行为的关键因素。考虑到这两个因素，我们开发了一个数学模型来研究沿主要通道和穿过它们的潮汐小溪的潮间带区域的生态形态动力学演变。模型结果表明，植被促进了河道网络的发展，导致河道结构更加复杂，排水效率更高。植被侵占通过在沿海和潮间带区域捕获沉积物，同时减少输送到陆地区域的沉积物数量来影响沉积物沉积模式。在海平面上升的情况下，这种沉积物的缺乏增强了潮间带平台向陆地减少的趋势，并导致更多孤立的植被斑块。总体而言，海平面上升限制了盐沼的扩展，从而降低了植被对航道网络形态和功能的影响。