Erosion resistance of vegetation-covered soils: Impact of different grazing conditions in salt marshes and analysis of soil-vegetation interactions by the novel DiCoastar method

The analysis of soil-vegetation interactions in erosion processes along coastlines requires accurate information about various factors influencing the upper soil layer. Yet, some of these parameters were previously determined by simplified, often hand held devices, and these were often biased by the skill and experience of the operator. This study thus investigates the erosion resistance of salt marsh soils influenced by grazing conditions for providing crucial findings for policy making and land management decisions; to that end, we present and use a novel shear resistance measuring device. This measuring device, called DiCoastar, was developed with a controllable step-motor and now allows us for the first time the determination of time histories of shear resistance by repeatable in-situ measurements, gaining information about the interaction between soil and root systems. A field study was conducted in salt marshes at Cäciliengroden and at Sönke-Nissen-Koog, both foreland salt marshes at the German North Sea coast. The two sites had been chosen due to their difference in grazing intensities, featuring semi-natural/ungrazed, moderately grazed and intensively grazed salt marshes. This was to enable the investigation of influences on soil shear strength and vegetation cover. Measurements of shear resistance were conducted with the DiCoastar in the chosen sites in the vicinity of the dike toes; it is found that the new device now provides consistent and repeatable measurements, irrespective of the operator, and only based on the pre-set control parameters. Results of the field study demonstrate that a marked increase of shear strength is only found in sites with high intensity grazing, but this is accompanied by a strong reduction in the vegetation cover and plant diversity, especially with regard to the vertical density distribution of the vegetation cover. As the reduction in vegetation cover leads to reduced wave attenuation over salt marshes and increased flow velocities, an increased shear stress on the soil surface, which potentially exceeds the increased shear strength, is expected. Based on this, the results obtained lead to the assumption that an increase in the erosion potential of these foreland marshes by high grazing pressure is more likely as well as a reduction in dike stability. © 2022 The Author

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

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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

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