Barrier Islands (IMAGE)

Virginia Commonwealth University

Barrier Islands

Caption

In response to sea-level rise, barrier islands tend to migrate landward via overwash in which sediment is deposited onto the backbarrier marsh. The researchers assessed the importance of interior upland vegetation on movement of the marsh-upland boundary in a transgressive barrier system. Over time, disturbance-resisting landscapes with greater topographic variability and vegetative cover resulted in higher rates of shoreline erosion and little to no transition marsh to upland (A). Disturbance-reinforcing landscapes have lower topographic relief, sparse vegetation and experienced higher rates of marsh to upland conversion (B).

Credit

VCU

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