Author(s): Xihang Xu; Jennifer Keenahan; Md Salauddin

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Keywords: Drag coefficient Local hydrodynamics Nature-based solutions Seagrass meadows Shoot distribution Wave attenuation

Abstract: Recent studies have indicated that coastal habitats, such as seagrass beds, have the potential to serve as effective and sustainable nature-based solutions for protecting coastlines against the increasing threat of extreme coastal hazards brought about by global and regional climate change. Nevertheless, the mechanism and quantification of wave attenuation by seagrass meadows remain less studied in the literature. The distribution patterns of seagrass shoots are complex and non-uniform, but there is limited understanding of their effects on wave attenuation and local hydrodynamics. To address this research gap, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted in this study to investigate the effects of various types of shoot distribution under swell and storm wave conditions. Artificial seagrass mimics within this work were designed and constructed following the geometric and physical properties of the natural Zostera marina meadows. Wave attenuation coefficient, drag coefficient, vertical velocity profile and wave-induced velocity variation were determined to quantitively assess and describe the impacts of shoot distributions on wave attenuation and surrounding hydrodynamics. The effectiveness of various empirical models in predicting wave attenuation in seagrass meadows was discussed using experimental datasets.

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Year: 2025