Proposing a novel classification of growth periods based on biomechanical properties and seasonal changes of Spartina anglica

Salt marshes are a valuable ecosystem with coastal protection potential, for example by absorbing hydrodynamic energy, increasing sedimentation and stabilizing the soil. This study investigated biomechanical properties of Spartina anglica to improve future models of wave-vegetation interaction. To fully understand the correlations between hydro- and biomechanics, the biomechanical vegetation properties from December 2021 to July 2022 are investigated with specimens collected from the field monthly. 551 specimens were used to determine the vegetation properties during storm surge season with high hydrodynamic forces. Additional geometrical properties were determined for 1265 specimens. Three-point bending tests measured the stiffness S (N/mm) and maximum forces Fmax (N). Different phenological states were observed over time and separated for analysis. These states provide a novel classification of growth periods for evaluating the coastal protection potential of Spartina anglica. Especially during storm season, most specimen were identified as broken shoots with a mean stiffness of 1.92N/mm (using 304 samples) compared to the bottom part of flowering shoots in December and January with a mean stiffness of 2.98N/mm (using 61 samples). The classification of plant properties recognizing phenological differences, based on plant state and seasonality, can be used to explain and reduce variability of biomechanical properties obtained during field campaigns. Additionally, this study shows that March to April is recommended for future investigations focusing on shoot properties during storm surge season, which is the important season for coastal engineers considering vegetation state

Field measurements of geometrical and mechanical properties of Spartina anglica on Spiekeroog, Germany, from December 2021 to December 2022

This dataset details the data collected by Keimer et al. on Spiekeroog. The investigated species is Spartina anglica, which is dominating the low marsh. Each month, geometrical and mechanical properties were measured and determined using three-point bending tests. Further information can be found in Keimer et al. (2023) on the proposed phenological states. In total, 1746 specimen were measured and 702 specimen were investigated mechanically

Mini Buoy measurements to evaluate flooding frequency and duration in the salt marsh from January 2022 to March 2023 (Spiekeroog and Butjadingen, Germany)

This dataset details the data collected by a Mini Buoy using the method presented in Balke et al. (2021) in the low marsh on Spiekeroog, Germany from January 2022 to March 2023 in a monthly resolution. A first analysis looking at data until July 2022 is presented in Keimer et al. (2023). Furthermore, Mini Buoy data collected in Butjadingen from March 2022 to March 2023 is included as well. This dataset includes the y acceleration measured by the Mini Buoy for two locations

From seasonal field study to surrogate modeling: Investigating the biomechanical dynamics of Elymus sp. in salt marshes

Salt marshes have been studied in the context of ecosystem services they can provide for coastal protection. In this study, monthly field campaigns focusing on Elymus spp. and its biomechanical properties were conducted from December 2021 to December 2022 on the German Barrier Island Spiekeroog. A total of 1390 specimens were investigated to determine their growth length, out of which 418 specimens were investigated mechanically with three-point bending tests to determine their biomechanical properties. To evaluate the interaction of hydraulic loads and vegetation, the challenge of modeling biomechanical plant properties to scale is addressed by using resin 3D printing with flexible material, while focusing on the materials mechanical properties. Based on the field data acquired and additional literature (adding up to 1959 measurements), a cylindrical plant model with an outer diameter of (scale 1 : 1) was developed. It was manufactured mixing two resin components with varying volume ratios resulting in surrogates with different flexural stiffnesses. The surrogates were characterized using three-point bending tests and image analysis of their bending behavior when subjected to currents between 0.4 and 1.2 m/s. With the average Young's modulus ranging from 8.45 to 1708.42 MPa, the bending angle varies from 0° to 77.4° displaying the influence of material stiffness and flow velocity. Applying the Cauchy scaling law, this study shows that resin 3D printing can be used to model Elymus sp. with respect to its biomechanical properties allowing for seasonally independent physical laboratory experiments with plant models

From seasonal field study to surrogate modeling: Investigating the biomechanical dynamics of Elymus sp. in salt marshes

This dataset details the data addressed and analyzed in Keimer et al., titled "From seasonal field study to surrogate modeling: Investigating the biomechanical dynamics of Elymus sp. in salt marshes". This study conducted monthly field campaigns focusing on Elymus spp. and its biomechanical properties from December 2021 to December 2022 on the German Barrier island Spiekeroog. A total of 1390 specimen were investigated to determine their growth length, and 418 specimen were investigated mechanically with three-point bending tests to determine their biomechanical properties. The data publication contains all relevant data needed to reproduce the field campaign results and their statistical analysis