Author(s): Laura Bossaer; Gregory Fivash; Ken Schoutens; Tom Van Der Stocken; Johan Van De Koppel; Tjeerd Bouma; Stijn Temmerman

Linked Author(s): Stijn Temmerman

Keywords: Tidal marshes; Mangroves; Hydrochorous dispersal; Species-specific traits; Modelling

Abstract: The dynamics of coastal wetlands, including tidal marshes and mangroves, is to a large extent dependent on the hydrochorous dispersal of plant propagules, enabling them to colonize new suitable coastal areas. Yet, this process is commonly oversimplified in models that treat water currents as the dominant driver. Laboratory and field evidence shows that propagules interact with wind in a species-dependent manner, shaping dispersal pathways and the spatial distribution of propagule deposition underlying vegetation patterns. Therefore, increased efforts are needed to quantify species-specific variation and explicitly account for it in predictive models of propagule dispersal. In this study, we quantify the interactive effects of dispersal-related propagule traits on wind-facilitated hydrochorous dispersal, u sing 3-D printed propagule mimics and a racetrack flume equipped with a wind tunnel. Our results will advance our understanding of the interaction between physical factors (wind and water) and biological traits (propagule characteristics), providing a framework to optimize and integrate propagule dispersal into coastal vegetation development models.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/iahr.proc.ise2026.abs.302

Year: 2026